Singing A Sad Tune - Pain Of Abortion Emerges In Pop Music

CWFA ^ | August 2003 | Britney Glaser

[NYer]

Music artists spanning the past 30 years in more than 20 genres of music have been singing a common song that may quietly be influencing society. From rap to country, heavy metal to folk, musicians confront a prevalent and personal issue: the emotional and physical turmoil of abortion.

The songs are not just from women who have experienced abortion; a significant number are from men. The rap song, Retrospect for Life by the group Common, says, “Turnin’ this woman’s womb into a tomb/I’m sorry for takin’ your first breath, first step, first cry. From now on I’ma use self-control instead of birth control, cause $315 ain’t worth your soul.” The song Speculum, by the heavy metal band Adema, is written by a band member whose girlfriend had an abortion. He sings to the aborted baby, “Know that I think of you, it’s killing me. The guilt has lasted years, I still cry…[T]he table’s cold, it’s too late to make up for these mistakes.” Ben Folds, from the rock band Ben Folds Five, describes the day that his girlfriend had an abortion. Folds’ song, Brick, says, “Can’t you see, it’s not me you’re dying for. Now she’s feeling more alone, than she ever has before. … She’s alone, and I’m alone, now I know it.”

Women’s songs come to the heart of the pain that they or friends have undergone through this procedure. Country/folk singer Julie Miller expresses the lingering voice of the unborn in her song Dangerous Place. She sings, “Little ones to Him belong, you are weak and we were wrong. Tell ourselves you don’t exist but your silent screams persist.” Punk folk singer Ani DeFranco describes the emotional and physical feelings of the abortion procedure in Lost Woman Song: “Through the pinch, pull wincing/my smile unconvincing/on that sterile battlefield that sees/only casualties/never heroes/my heart hit absolute zero. … Your voice still sounds in me.”

These gripping songs often involve graphic descriptions of the abortion. The group Sex Pistols provides a vivid depiction of the aborted baby in its song, Bodies: “Dragged on a table in a factory…in a packet in a lavatory…throbbing squirm gurgling bloody mess. I’m not a discharge, I’m not a loss of protein, I’m not a throbbing squirm. … I’m not an animal Mummy!” Christian heavy metal band Holy Soldier sings from the perspective of the aborted baby: “From a pail with open eyes, I see the man that I despise. He looks at me and turns his back, and my life fades. … Mommy I’m afraid.” From rock musician Graham Parker: “Did they tear it out, with talons of steel, and give you a shot, so that you wouldn’t feel? And wash it away as if it wasn’t real?” From Barren Cross, a Christian heavy metal band: “The operation is over. I’m now in pieces in a garbage bag. Guilt will now take over, ’cause where is the relief you thought you had?”

What does this all mean? Why are these musicians singing songs about abortion? David Reardon, director of the Elliot Institute, which researches the impact of abortion on women, men, siblings and society, concluded in his fact sheet After Effects : “Studies within the first few weeks after the abortion have found that between 40 and 60 percent of women questioned report negative reactions. Within 8 weeks after their abortions, 55% expressed guilt, 44% complained of nervous disorders, 36% had experienced sleep disturbances, 31% had regrets about their decision, and 11% had been prescribed psychotropic medicine by their family doctor.”

Our society may want to ignore the harm that abortion does to men and women. But, for more than 30 years, they have been speaking out through their songs. They demonstrate that, in the words of entertainer Billy Joel, music is “an explosive expression of humanity.” And, as opera star George Jellinek said, “The history of a people is found in its songs.”

DCTalk, a Christian alternative band, perfectly summed up what should be society’s response to abortion in, Children Can Live (Without It): “A miracle of God, now looked on as a choice. It’s time for all His children to unify a voice. With influence in numbers and power in prayer, we must defend the children, and fight for what is fair.”

“If music truly reflects the soul of a society, these songs reveal the intensity and violence of abortion,” said Wendy Wright, senior policy director for Concerned Women for America.

Still, despite this evidence, both scientific and cultural, Planned Parenthood’s Web site says, “Research studies indicate that emotional responses to legally induced abortions are largely positive.” Note to Planned Parenthood: Turn on your radio.

A list of the songs cited in this article, with links, follows:

 Adema. “Speculum.” Azlyrics.com. 2000-2003. 28 July 2003.

 Bad Religion. “Operation Rescue.” Lyricsfreak.com. 28 July 2003.

 Barren Cross. ” Barrencross.com. 28 July 2003.

 Ben Folds Five. “Brick.” Lyricstime.com. 2003. 28 July 2003.

 Brotha Lynch Hung. “Return of Da Baby Killa.” Lyricsdepot.com. 2003. 28 July 2003.

 Common. “Retrospect for Life.” Maxlyrics.com. 2003. 28 July 2003.

 DC Talk. “Children Can Live (Without It).” Lyrics.jp. 28 July 2003.

 Holy Soldier. “See No Evil.” Gargaro.com. 1995-2003. 28 July 2003.

 Miller, Julie. “Dangerous Place.” Nlntv.com. 2003. 28 July 2003.

 Parker, Graham. “You Can’t Be Too Strong.” Lyricsdownload.com. 2001. 28 July 2003.

&#61623; Sex Pistols. “Bodies.” Geocities.com. 28 July 2003. <

[NYer]

“Studies within the first few weeks after the abortion have found that between 40 and 60 percent of women questioned report negative reactions. Within 8 weeks after their abortions, 55% expressed guilt, 44% complained of nervous disorders, 36% had experienced sleep disturbances, 31% had regrets about their decision, and 11% had been prescribed psychotropic medicine by their family doctor.”

Frightening statistics.

[NYer]

From now on I’ma use self-control instead of birth control, cause $315 ain’t worth your soul.

The pain continues ... pro life ping!

[mdittmar]

Still, despite this evidence, both scientific and cultural, Planned Parenthood’s Web site says, “Research studies indicate that emotional responses to legally induced abortions are largely positive.”

Frightening statement.

STOPP International

[Libertina]

Such a hard lesson learned, I'm glad they are sharing what abortion really does - it may do some good.

[Clint Williams]

14 years ago my wife got the news that she was pregnant, in a difficult situation (not life-threatening, but with major problems) that probably all but the most "extreme" pro-lifers would have advised an abortion. My wife was always "extremely" pro-life, but until that day I was nominally "pro-choice," never having thought about the matter much. It was a topic that for years we did not talk about. This day, along with the news, she put the choice to me.

I chose life... along with a terribly hard road that continued long after our daughter's birth. And to this day it remains difficult. But despite all, we have a *bright* (usually) bubbly 13-year-old, well set on her way towards her doctorate in chemistry, like several of her forebears.

I am now "extremely" pro-life.

And I am so happy I am not in a position to directly empathize with those songs.

[StatesEnemy]

Margaret Sanger Ping

[GulliverSwift]

I don't mean to rain on the parade but it doesn't seem as though these are big names.

[jwalsh07]

Thanks for sharing your story. It touched me. Best of luck to youall.

[LaraCroft]

Thats because Planned Parenthood lies to the girls who go there.

And thats probably why they don't want the protestors to stand out front with pictures, because they convince you that it's not a baby, its just a bunch of cells, just like having your period.

They actually try to talk you into abortion. It's sad, evil, and very frightening.

[Tuxedo]

DC Talk is huge in Contemporary Christian music.. but all Christian artists are probably known to be pro-Life.

[daughterofTGSL]

My best friend was supposed to be aborted, all the doctors said she would have too much wrong with her. She has a heart condition, and other problems like low blood sugar, but all of them are slowly disappearing. Every day her family thanks the Lord that they didn't make a huge mistake and do what the doctors told them to. She is the most pro-life person I've ever met, too.

[NYer]

we have a *bright* (usually) bubbly 13-year-old

THANK YOU! for sharing this story! I am the adoptive parent to a now 17 year old, who was destined for abortion. Fortunately, it was "too late" for the abortion and the family chose adoption instead. My daughter is my life, with all of her foibles. :-)

[NYer]

She has a heart condition, and other problems like low blood sugar, but all of them are slowly disappearing.

Sadly, these 'problems' become 'excuses' for denying a human being life. As you pointed out, your friend is outgrowing these medical conditions. Besides, how serious are they, really? It is her life to live, not outs to take.

[disclaimer]

I don't mean to rain on the parade but it doesn't seem as though these are big names

Ben Folds Five's "Brick" had lots of airplay on the big pop stations - never knew what the song was about until now.

[livius]

Congratulations, Clint. The sad thing is that I think most people who aborted would feel the way you did if they just stuck it out and chose life. Now all they have is guilt - and no 13-yr-old.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Ben Folds Five was a very popular band about 7-8 years back. The Sex Pistols were an 80's(? maybe 70's) band also popular.

Red Ragtop by Tim McGraw is one of the new ones anti-abortion songs.

[MikalM]

The Sex Pistols weren't very popular outside of the UK during their short (1976-78) original life. However, they were hugely influential, and recently reunited to play to new generations of punk rockers.

I remember their first album being very controversial because it not only tweaked conservative sensibilities (Queen-bashing, foul language), but also took on liberal shibboleths in songs like "Bodies" (the bloody reality of abortion) and "Holidays in the Sun" (the oppression of the Soviet Bloc).

[nonliberal]

Nightmare, the persecution
A child's dream of death
Torment, ill forgotten
A soul that will never rest
Guidance, it means nothing
In a world of brutal time
Electric circus wild
Deep in the infant's mind

Silent scream
Bury the unwanted child
Beaten and torn
Sacrifice the unborn

Shattered, another child
Bearer of no name
Restrained, insane games
Suffer the children condemned
Scattered remnants of life
Murder, a time to die
Pain, sufferaged toyed
Life's little fragments destroyed

Silent scream
Crucify the bastard son
Beaten and torn
Sanctify lives of scorn

Life preordained
Humanity maintained
Extraction termination
Pain's agonizing stain
Embryonic death
Embedded in your brain
Suffocation, strangulation
Death is #$%^ing you insane

Nighmare, the persecution
A child's dream of death
Torment, ill forgotten
A soul that will never rest
Innocence withdrawn in fear
Fires burning can you hear
Cries in the night

Song: Silent Scream
Group: Slayer
Album: South of Heaven (1988)

[Princeliberty]

Most big name pop stars are simply created
by the industry companies and therefore
sing whatever rubbish they are told to sing,
which is certainly not going to be about the
harm of abortion.

[chmst]

Also Freshmen by the Verve Pipe. What was it? "stop a baby's breath and a shoe full of rice" (have an abortion so you don't have to get married)

[Dajjal]

&#61623; Sex Pistols. “Bodies.” Geocities.com. 28 July 2003. <

WARNING!!!

This link put a popup spybot virus in my PC!!!

[maryz]

. . . between 40 and 60 percent of women questioned report negative reactions.

Frightening statistics.

The really frightening part is the 40-60 percent who apparently don't.

[keats5]

I personally know of four women who have told me they had aborted their young. (Why people tell me this stuff, I don't know.)

Of these four, one became a Wiccan, who continues to depend on numerous antidepressives intermixed with pain killers. Another has given up her first religion (Catholicism), dabbled in Judiaism, and now is an Atheist, who is clinically depressed and sometimes suicidal. Both these women continue to support the practice of abortion.

The two other women have found relief in Christianity, have confessed their sin of abortion and have accepted God's forgiveness. They're doing fine.

[gracex7]

And they know that one day they will see their children. His grace is such an incredibly wonderful gift!!

[Pyro7480]

Punk folk singer Ani DeFranco describes the emotional and physical feelings of the abortion procedure in Lost Woman Song: “Through the pinch, pull wincing/my smile unconvincing/on that sterile battlefield that sees/only casualties/never heroes/my heart hit absolute zero. … Your voice still sounds in me.”

She may have written this, but the thing is that she is still pro-abortion, if I remember correctly.

[Antoninus]

I don't mean to rain on the parade but it doesn't seem as though these are big names.

How about this one:

Red Rag Top by Tim McGraw.

[chelleyj]

Wow. I didn't know that there were so many songs out there about abortion. Here's another abortion story for you:

I was 16 when I became pregnant. I found out about it a week after my b/f dumped me for another girl. (They later married and then divorced a few years later.) I wanted to put it up for adoption, but I was told that he might change his mind about not wanting the baby, and I could get stuck paying child support. I was also told that if I kept it, I would have to move out, find an apartment, drop out of school, get a job, and go on welfare. I didn't seem to have much of a choice besides abortion. We even went to the pastor of the church we occasionally attended (my mom was asking for referrals for abortions!), but all the pastor did was give us a phone number for the Catholic Archdiocese for adoption. No sermon on abortion. Real biblical.

Well, I had that abortion on November 29th, 1994. Thanks to a church group lining the main street through town with pro-life signs in the spring of 1995, and a Christian fiance who didn't believe in abortion (although we must have forgotten the part about fornication being wrong), our 4-year-old daughter is alive today. I became a Christian in November 1999, and went through a post-abortion bible study at a crisis pregnancy center in the summer of 2000. I became active in the pro-life movement shortly after that, with my testimony being put in tract form that September. Thanks to the Lord's infinite love and mercy, I am finally on the right track.

I still suffer from the emotional effects of the abortion, though. Although the guilt has been washed away, the sorrow and loss remains. I can never have my baby back. I was verbally abusive, and my husband and I would get into vicious fights where he would have to hold me down until I calmed down. It almost ruined our marriage, but not before I finally went to see the doctor, who diagnosed me with depression. I have to take a pill every day now, and I may be taking them for a long time. I also worry about developing breast cancer later in life due to the hormonal imbalance the abortion caused in my 8th week of pregnancy. It also makes me angry that they refuse to call it a baby, and that they prey on weak and oft-defenseless young girls who are swayed by the opinions of others, be it parents, b/f's or otherwise. Instead of informing you of 'all options', they simply make sure that you're completely talked into killing your baby before they take you in. I'm haunted by the 'screams'--I can remember hearing the voices of children screaming in pain when I was going into the procedure room. They said, "Get out! Run away!" I thought I was nuts, until I heard them again when I went to picket at another abortion clinic. I will forever be haunted by their voices.

Has the abortion helped me? No. Have I gotten better since then? Sure. But there will always be a hole in my heart where my precious lost baby belongs until I see him/her in heaven someday. As my husband told me, "God forgives you, and so does that little baby."

[nonliberal]

I had one of those recently. Every time I typed in freerepublic.com it kicked me onto a porn site.

[sport]

Good!

[BlessedBeGod]

I'm so sorry. That was heartrending.

"God forgives you, and so does that little baby."

Yes, He does.