Heart of Stone

"Heart of Stone" is the emotional anchor of SIX, sung by the character of Jane Seymour. While history often remembers Seymour as the "boring" wife or merely the one who finally gave Henry VIII a son, this song subverts that narrative by framing her passivity as a deliberate, powerful choice of radical acceptance and resilience.

The central metaphor of the "heart of stone" reclaims a phrase typically associated with coldness or lack of empathy. In Jane's voice, "stone" represents stability, durability, and unbreaking strength. While Henry is depicted as a "restless tide" and a storm—elements that are destructive and changeable—Jane is the immovable object that withstands his fury. She recognizes the transactional nature of his affection ("Without my son, your love could disappear"), yet she chooses to love him anyway, not out of naivety, but out of a fierce commitment to her family.

The song also serves as a tragic foreshadowing of her death from postnatal complications. The lyrics pivot from her relationship with Henry to her legacy for her son, Edward VI. The line "Soon I'll have to go, I'll never see him grow" reveals the heartbreaking cost of her duty. Her "heart of stone" ultimately becomes a monument—a gravestone—symbolizing a love that endures beyond death, promising her son that her presence will remain with him even when she is physically gone.

The song opens with a quiet acknowledgment of a partner's volatile nature. The narrator observes that this person has a good heart, yet it is as unpredictable as a restless tide or an untamable storm. She recalls how she saw the potential for danger from the moment he entered her life, knowing he possessed the power to lift her to great heights or let her fall completely. Despite this risk, she chose to take his hand, making a silent promise to withstand whatever chaos he might bring, feeling something solidify within her—a resolve to stay.

As the song builds, the narrator asserts her resilience against the external and internal forces threatening to erode her. She declares that no matter how much she is built up or torn down, she remains unbreakable. She challenges the forces of nature and her partner's own turbulence—fire, wind, and drying waters—stating that when all else has faded or destroyed, her essence will remain like stone. This metaphor of a "heart of stone" is reclaimed not as coldness, but as an enduring, indestructible foundation of love.

The narrative shifts to the fragility of her family life. She mentions the image of perfection they present to the world, holding their family close for public display. She professes that he is the only one she has ever truly loved, speaking the words with absolute truth. However, a shadow hangs over this devotion; she is acutely aware that her partner's love is conditional, hinging entirely on her ability to provide a son. She admits that without this child, his affection could vanish. Though she recognizes the unfairness of this reality, she dismisses it, affirming that her love persists regardless of his conditions.

In the tragic conclusion, the narrator confronts her impending death. She realizes she will soon have to leave and will never have the chance to watch her son grow up. Her final hope is that her son will understand he is never truly alone. She promises that even as rivers run dry and leave scars on the landscape, her presence will remain by his side, her love permanent and set in stone, outlasting even her own life.

"Heart of Stone" was written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the creators of SIX. It was originally composed for the show's premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017 and later refined for the 2018 Studio Cast Recording and subsequent West End/Broadway productions.

According to the creators, this was the most difficult song to write for the show. Their goal was to differentiate Jane Seymour from the high-energy, uptempo vibes of the other queens. They wanted a "power ballad" style that would emulate the emotional depth and vocal prowess of modern pop icons like Adele and Sia. The challenge lay in making a character historically perceived as "plain" and "submissive" feel empowered. They achieved this by reframing her silence and steadfastness as active strength rather than weakness.

In early productions, the staging involved the other queens holding candelabras to create a somber, church-like atmosphere, highlighting the song's reverence and the character's impending death. Natalie Paris, who originated the role in the West End and on the Studio Cast Recording, is widely credited with defining the song's soaring vocal style, particularly the intricate riffs and the emotional climax.

Rhyme Scheme: The song generally follows a consistent rhyme scheme in the verses (often ABAB or AABB) and a repetitive, anthemic structure in the chorus. For example, "changes/untameable" (slant rhyme) and "hand/withstand" (perfect rhyme). The chorus relies on strong, monosyllabic rhymes like "stone/blown/own" and "test/best," which reinforce the feeling of solidity and simplicity associated with the character.

Rhythm and Meter: The song is set in a slow, steady 4/4 time signature. The tempo is deliberate and grounded, unlike the frantic pacing of songs like "Don't Lose Ur Head." This steady, plodding rhythm mirrors the metaphor of the stone—unrushed and immovable. The rhythmic phrasing of the melody allows for rubato, giving the singer space to emote, effectively capturing the solitary introspection of the character.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Emulation: The song is a contemporary pop power ballad, modeled after the piano-driven, vocally demanding hits of Adele. It provides a stark dynamic contrast to the upbeat dance-pop tracks of the other queens.
• Vocal Range and Belting: The song requires immense vocal control, transitioning from a soft, breathy lower register in the verses to powerful, sustained belts in the chorus and bridge. The "riff" sequences are characteristic of modern R&B-influenced pop.
• Instrumentation: The arrangement begins sparsely, often with just piano or light accompaniment, and swells with strings and percussion to match the emotional intensity of the lyrics, mirroring the "solidifying" of Jane's resolve.

Literary Techniques:

• Subversion: The primary literary device is the subversion of the title phrase "Heart of Stone."
• Antithesis: The lyrics frequently pair opposites to show the precarious nature of Jane's life: "Build me up / Tear me down," "Lift me high / Let me fall."
• Paradox: The idea that being "unbreakable" requires a "heart of stone" (emotional numbness) while simultaneously expressing the deepest, most sacrificial love in the show.

"Heart of Stone" has become a standout track from SIX, widely recognized as the show's "11 o'clock number" (emotionally) or main ballad. It has garnered millions of streams on platforms like Spotify, rivaling the more upbeat hits like "Ex-Wives."

• Legacy in Musical Theatre: It is frequently used as an audition song for mezzo-sopranos due to its vocal challenges and emotional range. It has helped redefine the "power ballad" in modern musical theatre by blending contemporary pop stylings with theatrical storytelling.
• Viral Success: The song has seen numerous covers on TikTok and YouTube, with fans resonating deeply with its themes of resilience and motherhood.
• Natalie Paris: The original performer, Natalie Paris, received critical acclaim for her rendition, and her vocal runs in the song have become iconic within the musical theatre fandom (the "Queendom").

The lyrics of "Heart of Stone" rely heavily on elemental imagery to contrast the personalities of Jane and Henry.

• Stone vs. Elements (Fire, Wind, Water): Henry is described using chaotic, destructive elements: a "restless tide," a "storm," a "blaze." These represent his legendary temper and fickleness. In contrast, Jane is "stone"—solid, unmoving, and permanent. The lyrics "When the fire's burnt, when the wind has blown... You'll still find stone" illustrate that her love outlasts his volatility.
• The "Heart of Stone": Traditionally a metaphor for cruelty, here it symbolizes unconditional steadfastness. It suggests a love that is hardened not against the person, but against the pain that person causes, allowing it to survive trauma without shattering.
• The River and Scars: The line "Like a river runs dry and leaves its scars behind" alludes to the permanent mark her death will leave on the timeline of history and on her son's life, implying that love, like a geological feature, remains visible even after the life force (water) is gone.

"You can build me up, you can tear me down": This hook serves as the central thesis of the song. Its repetition reinforces Jane's endurance against the external forces of the court and Henry's whims.

"Unbreakable" / "Unshakable": These adjectives serve as a mantra for Jane. By repeating them, she convinces herself and the audience of her strength. They act as a shield against the "sticks and stones" of public opinion and royal displeasure.

"My heart of stone": The title phrase is repeated at the end of the choruses, evolving in meaning from a defense mechanism to a solemn vow of eternal love for her son. The final iteration, "My love is set in stone," locks the metaphor into its final form: a legacy that survives death.