In no way am I a Nick Cannon fan.

But I just saw his "Can I Live" video on BET.com and was blown away by how well he tackled the subject matter of abortion. His lyrics are almost poetic.

They squeeze my heart almost as much as "The Mother" by Gwendolyn Brooks.

Apparently, Nick's mother confided to him that when she became pregnant at 17 with him she considered an abortion. He writes the song from the embryo's perspective.

As a pro-choice proponent these lyrics are hard to hear...especially "If I could talk I would say to you ' Can I live? Can I Live?'"

But there is no sacrifice like giving up your body and your life to care for another dependent human being ... so I still believe a woman should be granted a choice by law....

Anyway, here are the lyrics. Are you as moved as I?



Artist: Nick Cannon (f/ Anthony Hamilton)
Album: Nick Cannon
Song: Can I Live

Lyrics :

[Talking]
Talking Ma
I know the Situation is Personal
but it's something that has to be told
as I was making this beat
You was all i could think about. You heard my voice

[Verse 1]
Yeah Just think Just Think
what if you could Just
Just blink your self away..
Just Just wait just pause for a second
Let me plead my case
Its the late 70's Huh
You Seventeen huh
and having me that will ruin everything huh
it's alot of angels waiting for their wings
You see me in your sleep so you can't kill your dreams
300 Dollars thats the price of living? What?
Mommy, I dont like this clinic
hopefully you'll make the right decision
and dont go though with the Knife incision
but it's hard to make the right move
when you in high school
Now you have to work all day and take night school
hopping off da bus when the rain is pouring
What you want? Morning sickness or the Sickness of Mourning?

[Chorus]
I Will Always Be a part of you
Trust Your Soul Know His Heart Is True
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know His Heart Is True
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE

[Verse 2]
I' am a child of the king
aint no need to go fear me
and i see the flowing tears so I know that you hear me
when I move in your womb that's me being scared
cause who knows what my future holds
yo the truth be told you aint told a soul
yo you aint even showing I'm just 2 moths old
Thorough your clothes, yo u try to hide me, deny
me. Went up 3 sizes
your pride got you lying saying I aint nothing but a migraine
It ain't surprising. You not trying to be in WIC food lines
Your friends look at you funny, but look at you mommy
thatz a life inside you look at your tummy
What is becoming ma I am Oprah bound
you can tell he's a star from the Ultrasound
Our Sprits Connected Doors Open Now
Nothing But Love And Respect Thanks For Holding Me Down She Let Me Live...

[Chorus]
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know His Heart Is True
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know His Heart Is True
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
[Repeat 2]

[Talking]

Its uplifting foreal yall
i aint passing no judgement
aint making no decisions
I am just telling ya'll my story
my love life
i love my mother for giving me life
we all need to appreciate life
a strong women that had to make a sacrifice
Thanks for listening
Thanks for listening
Mama thanks for listening