Top Catholic Songs – share, learn, promote

Nick Alexander here... Within the past week, there has been a steady stream of pro-life oriented songs. These are the songs that speak of the different voices surrounding life issues, from artists as varied as soft contemporary to jazz-infused rap. There's songs of joy and regret, love and forgiveness, strength and struggle. I was raised in a home that, in short, did not share these views. In fact, my mother was very vocal in the "women's rights" movement, and oftentimes would march for "our bodies, our selves." As a teenager, I became a huge fan of Steve Taylor. Of all the Christian rock that I listened to in the mid-80s, none spoke more persuasively about the sanctity of life. Because of his tenacity of addressing this issue amongst many songs, I was able to understand the importance of taking a stand for life, at all stages. Life is a gift, and regardless of one's circumstances, one must never presume that taking a life would be a solution to whatever trial one is facing. Of all the songs in Steve Taylor's repertoire, I find that Lifeboat (off of On the Fritz) is a novelty track that hits this point home. It demonstrates the frivolousness of teaching "values clarification", and that life could be measured by accomplishments. And any song that reminds me of "Joan Collins" gets an automatic recommendation in my book. Do you have a pro-life song worth sharing? Share your comments below. Our society is hungry to know more of these songs...

Donna Lee writes:

My song, Whispers From Heaven has helped me in my own healing process. My daughter would have been 22 years old this year. Making the decision to have an abortion when I was 22 years old in 1986 changed my life forever. It is something that I have thought about every day of my life since then. In the beginning of my music ministry I was too afraid to talk about it when I gave my testimony about my return to the Catholic church. It was in Australia at a Marian conference that I was singing at in 1994 where I finally got the courage to talk about it. Ever since then it is hard for me not to share about because God's forgiveness, love and mercy is infinite. My story is too long to tell here. Some of you have heard it. I am such a fan of Divine Mercy and I speak and sing of it wherever I can. My personal journey of forgiveness has been a long one and although I have forgiven myself, and I know that God forgave me and my daughter too--I still can't help but think about what she may have looked like or the woman that should would have become and all the things I missed out on being a mom for the first time. Thank you Jesus for your mercy. You can listen to my song here in its entirity, since itunes only runs 30 seconds of it.

Teresa Smith, formerly of Crossed Hearts, sang the tender "Will You Speak For Me?" (as written by husband David Smith), from the perpective of an unborn child. It is a fragile-but-forceful performance. Will You Speak for Me? Words and music: David C. Smith If I could for the words, I would say How much I long to see the day When I can laugh and sing and be Who I am being formed to be But here I cannot say a word My voice will only go unheard Yet in my heart this questions burns Will you speak for me? To a world where I am The least of its problems The least of its worries I am the least of these Mom, I know something is troubling you When your heart races, mine races too But as you decide what you should do Will you speak for me? To a world where I am The least of its problems The least of its worries I am the least of these Some say they just don't have the time I'm out of sight and out of mind Maybe you're the voice I've hoped to find Will you speak for me?

Courtesy of the uber-talented Robert Galea, from Australia.