In nine songs, the True Love Song Cycle tells the gripping story of Mary, a young woman trying to survive in the world of American Christian Nationalism. Behind the seemingly lighthearted music lies a dark reality of power, women’s rights, and the cycle of abuse.
for performers and concert programmers
The Story of Mary
This song cycle follows the life of Mary. She grows up in a puritanical community where she is taught that sexual abstinence is the highest virtue. She loses her virginity by choice, and subsequently attempts to erase this act by declaring herself a ‘reborn virgin’.
However, her attempt to conform to her community’s ideals leads to tragedy. A fellow student rapes her but blames her for it, citing her ‘impure’ past. When she becomes pregnant and considers an abortion, she is hunted down by the system, confined, and forced to carry the pregnancy to term, after which her baby is taken from her. The cycle ends where it began, suggesting this story repeats endlessly.
The songs
1. True Love
[male perspective]
A powerful, contemporary president draws a parallel to the 17th-century diarist Samuel Pepys. Both men brag about their sexual conquests, with or without consent. For them, women are ‘playthings’ and ‘trophies’. This song sets the stage for the world in which the cycle unfolds.
2. Mother
[female perspective]
Once again, women are reduced to the roles of ‘mother’ or ‘whore.’ This song introduces the mother of Mary, the young woman whose story we follow.
3. Virgin
[female perspective]
In the puritanical culture, virginity is an ideal. Mary, having already lost hers, takes a vow of purity and declares herself a ‘Reborn Virgin’.
4. The gun in my pocket
[male perspective]
A fellow student rapes Mary. He justifies his act by claiming her ‘impure’ past led him astray.
Preview of The Gun in My Pocket by Katrien Baerts and Gerard Bouwhuis in Hertz, TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht. With thanks to New Music Now.
5. Powder your nose
[female perspective]
Mary tries to carry on as if nothing has happened while struggling with the trauma. Then, she receives an unpleasant surprise.
6. Bill Heartbeat
[male perspective]
Mary is pregnant and considers an abortion. Doctor Bill makes it clear this is unacceptable; a pregnancy is a gift from God.
7. The Janes
[male perspective]
Mary flees from the clinic. Doctor Bill launches a hunt, not just for her, but especially for the feminist activist group ‘The Janes’ that is helping her.
8. Rejoice
[female perspective]
After ‘The Janes’ are punished, Mary is captured. She is forced to carry her pregnancy to term, after which her baby is taken for adoption. She is sentenced to years of penance for her sins.
9. True Love
The first song is repeated with full energy. The cycle of power, abuse, and oppression begins anew.
For performers
Instruments:
S, pf
Duration:
45′
Year:
2023
Premiere:
True Love (2018)
The gun in my
pocket (2024)
Category:
vocal
Language:
English
Lyricist:
Renske Vrolijk
Are you interested in performing this work? Please contact my publisher.
Renske’s sheet music
is published by Deuss Music.
For performers
Instruments:
Ms, pf
Duration:
45′
Year:
2023
Premiere:
—
Category:
vocal
Language:
English
Lyricist:
Renske Vrolijk
Are you interested in performing this work? Please contact my publisher.
Renske’s sheet music
is published by Deuss Music.
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.