Bodies

The lyrics use shocking, angry language to confront abortion and the way people talk about bodies involved in it. They begin with a story about Pauline, then shift into repeated cries of “I’m not an animal.” The voice sounds distressed and defiant, but it is not always clear who is speaking: Pauline, the aborted fetus, or someone reacting to the event. That uncertainty makes the song feel more like a clash of voices than a calm argument.

Several images make the scene deliberately harsh: a body “dragged on a table,” placed “in a packet,” and found “in a lavatory.” These details suggest physical vulnerability and a sense of shame or neglect. Calling someone “an animal” is an insult that denies their humanity; the repeated rejection of that label may express a need to be seen as more than a body. The phrase “Mummy, mummy” gives the lyrics a childlike voice, creating a disturbing contrast with the violent descriptions.

The song does not offer a balanced discussion or a clear solution. Its profanity and repetition may be meant to provoke, while also conveying panic, disgust, and grief. It is ambiguous whether the central plea is against abortion, against dehumanizing treatment, or both. The lyrics leave listeners with the discomfort of trying to understand whose pain is being expressed.