Before he started his solo career, he was in indie rock band The Junes, and he was in the band of the popular Dutch singer Ilse deLange.
Signed to the 8Ball record label, Bertolf released his first album For Life in early 2009, followed the next year by Snakes And Ladders. 2012 saw the release of the epnymous Bertolf album. 2015's First & Then was his final album for 8Ball.
Between 2014 and 2018 a large chunk of Bertolf's time was devoted to touring as a member of the tribute band, Her Majesty. Named after the closing track of The Beatles' Abbey Road album, they especially gained prominence when they started performing the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (and other artists from their scene), to rave reviews in the Dutch press.
In the mean time, Bertolf signed with Excelsior Recordings, where his fifth and sixth solo albums were issued: the somewhat gloomy Big Shadows of Small Things (2019) and the very sunny, colorful, upbeat and particularly well-received Happy in Hindsight (2021).
Mary
Bertolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never got to check how much she's like you
For all I know is the picture in the window
But I can't even tell that your eyes are blue
She says that you might've liked me
And that we would've had something to talk about
I wanna take your little girl and make her happy
So Mary, Mary, Mary
Let me ask you for your daughter's hand
To marry, marry, marry me
Oh, could you make it rain if you understand
We visited your stone day after Christmas
We had to wipe the snow off to clearly see
And as she laid her head down on my shoulder
I saw all I know 'bout you is her grief
So Mary, Mary, Mary
Let me ask you for your daughter's hand
To marry, marry, marry me
Oh, could you make it rain if you understand
So Mary, Mary, Mary
Let me ask you for your daughter's hand
To marry, marry, marry me
Oh, could you make it rain if you understand
Could you make it rain if you understand
Oh, could you make it rain
If you understand
The song "Mary" by Bertolf is a poignant and introspective piece about the singer's desire to know the mother of the woman he loves, who has passed away. The song begins with the singer expressing his regret at not having met Mary, and not having had the chance to compare his lover's qualities to her mother's. The only thing he knows about her is the picture he has seen in the window, but he cannot even tell if her eyes are blue. He then recounts how his lover has spoken about him to her mother, and how they would have had much to discuss. However, he is unsure if he has Mary's permission to ask for her daughter's hand in marriage.
In the second verse, the singer describes visiting Mary's grave with his lover, and how he saw all he knows about her through her daughter's grief. It is clear that the absence of Mary is a huge presence in their lives, and the question of whether the singer has the right to ask for her daughter's hand becomes more complex. The repeated refrain of "Mary, Mary, Mary, let me ask you for your daughter's hand, to marry, marry, marry me" is a plea for permission and validation, but also a sorrowful acknowledgment of the impossibility of ever truly knowing Mary and receiving her blessing.
The song showcases Bertolf's skill as both a songwriter and a musician, with heartfelt vocals and a gentle guitar accompaniment. The lyrics are deeply personal and introspective, and evoke a sense of longing and loss. The song also highlights the often complicated relationships between parents and their children, and how they persist even after death.
Line by Line Meaning
Too bad I never got to know you
It is regrettable that I never had the chance to meet you and build a relationship with you.
I never got to check how much she's like you
I never had the opportunity to compare and observe how much resemblance your daughter has with you.
For all I know is the picture in the window
The only image I have of you is a photograph in a window.
But I can't even tell that your eyes are blue
The photograph is not clear enough to determine the color of your eyes.
She says that you might've liked me
Your daughter thinks that you may have approved of me and my intentions.
And that we would've had something to talk about
She believes that we would have had common interests and topics to discuss if we had the chance to meet.
I wanna take your little girl and make her happy
I want your daughter to be happy and I wish to be the one to provide that happiness.
But how can I be sure that I'm allowed
I am uncertain if my desire to be with your daughter is acceptable and permissible according to your and her wishes.
We visited your stone day after Christmas
We honored your memory by visiting your grave on the day after Christmas.
We had to wipe the snow off to clearly see
The grave was covered in snow and we had to clear it to see your name and epitaph.
And as she laid her head down on my shoulder
As your daughter leaned onto my shoulder in grief.
I saw all I know 'bout you is her grief
Through her emotions, I realized that the only thing I truly know about you is your significance in her life and the impact of your loss.
Let me ask you for your daughter's hand
I respectfully request permission to seek your daughter's hand in marriage.
Oh, could you make it rain if you understand
If you are listening, please show your acceptance of my request by making it rain.
Could you make it rain if you understand
If you approve of my intentions, please let it rain as a sign of your blessing.
Oh, could you make it rain
I seek a sign from you to know if my request to marry your daughter is genuine and acceptable.
If you understand
If my message has reached you and you approve of it, please let it rain.
Contributed by Gabriel I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
susannetilburg
Thanks DWDD! Wat een ontzettend lief liedje. Het zorgt voor tranen van deze vaderloze dochter.
Rosemarie de koning
Ik hoorde Dit nummer vanavond op de Radio! en ik kreeg meteen Kippenvel! Alleen die gitaarpartij maakt het voor muziek liefhebbers al mooi!! Ik zou hier ook geen andere stem voor willen horen! Echt Mooi!!
Gerda Mijsbergh
Prachtig , zonder poespas. Heerlijk gitaarmuziekje.
Lori79
de eerste keer dat ik dit liedje hoorde hield ik het bijna niet droog... zo ontzettend mooi!
remco woortman
bedankt 3fm, voor het prachtige nummer wat jullie mij hebben laten horen
Will Theunissen
Prachtige song, zeer mooi gezongen en lichtvoetig gitaarwerk 🤗
garfreeek
Wow, wat een mooi nummer blijft het toch! Benieuwd wat 'ie hierna gaat maken :D
Jacob Adriani
Wat een heerlijk mooi gitaarspel!
MrMuziekfan
You sing & playing this song beautifully, i like it, good job !!!
Jeroen Pluijm
Echt een super mooi nummer. Het zet mijzelf ook erg aan het denken over alles. Echt super bedankt voor het maken van dit fantastische nummer. En natuurlijk ook 3fm bedankt dat ze ermee geholpen hebben. Gr jeroen