True Love song cycle
In eight seemingly lighthearted songs, this song cycle explores the mindset of men and women from the Evangelical Christian Nationalist movement in the United States. It delves into questions about the empathy underlying their desires for community spirit, social involvement, and societal organization. Where do these desires come into conflict with human rights and, more specifically, women’s rights?
This cycle of eight songs is based on contemporary and historical materials and forms a complete narrative, inspired by quotes and legal texts. The perspective shifts from a male to a female role from song to song.
1. True Love
[male]
Through the use of quotations: one of the most controversial presidents of the United States extends his hand to Samuel Pepys (1633-1703), linking them together. Both figures exhibited a comparable level of misogyny, with Pepys boasting in his diary about his conquests, whether consensual or not, much like Trump. For these two influential men, women are just a ‘playground’. Their views function as the backdrop for this song cycle.
2. Mother
[female]
The theme is old, yet still relevant: women are reduced to one of two roles, mother or harlot. Here she is reduced to being a mother. The mother of our contemporary Mary.
3. Virgin
[female]
The Virgin Mary was immaculately conceived. She is a role model for the Catholic Church. Puritan evangelicals have adopted her example, promoting abstinence as the highest achievable goal for young men and women, placing the responsibility primarily on young women to guard their virginity. Our contemporary Mary has already lost it. She makes a vow and declares herself a Reborn virgin.
4. The gun in my pocket
[male]
After her vow Mary is living a modest life, attending a Christian collage with a side job to pay her bills. A fellow student who is aware of her past reputation is overcome by lust and assaults her, despite claiming to be more attracted to a woman’s heart and soul. According to him he was unpure because of her. She is to blame.
5. Powder your nose
[female]
Mary goes on as if nothing happened. She is struggling to get to grips with what happened to her and doesn’t want anyone to take notice. Nature has an unpleasant surprise for her.
6. Bill Heartbeat
[male]
Clearly, abstinence has failed, and doctor Bill is quite clear in his opinion. Being pregnant is a gift of God. Mary, despite her religious believes, wants an abortion.
7. The Janes
[male]
Mary ran away from doctor Bill’s clinic. He initiates the hunt for her, specifically targeting those who are aiding her: a feminist group called The Janes.
8. Rejoice
[female]
Mary is caught and brought back to the clinic. She is forced to deliver her baby. The baby will forcibly be adopted while she is on the receiving end of true love and has to atone for her sins.
9. True Love
Repeat first song
Inspiration
The inspiration for the True Love song cycle came from soprano Bauwien van der Meer. In 2018 she was the creator of the project Fantastic Women:a performance with the stature of a song recital (vocals and piano) and the vibrancy of a variety act. My contribution True Love spurred further investigation into oppressive and influential fundamentalist religious movements, particularly the Christian Nationalist movement in the United States. Within this movement—much like many orthodox movements—women’s rights are not necessarily regarded as synonymous with human rights.
For performers
| Instrumentation: | S, pf |
| Duration: | 45′ |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Category: | vocaal |
| Language: | English |
| Movements: | True Love; Mother; Virgin; The gun in my pocket; Powder your nose; Bill Heartbeat; The Janes; Rejoice |
or
| Instrumentation: | Ms, pf |
| Duration: | 45′ |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Category: | vocaal |
| Language: | English |