Ed Sheeran has distanced himself from anti-abortion campaigners in Ireland, after they used his song ‘Small Bump’ to promote their cause.
The song, which featured on 2012 debut ‘+’, was used by pro-life supporters as they campaigned on the streets of Dublin ahead of Ireland’s abortion referendum later this week.
Posting on Instagram Stories, Sheeran confirmed that he had not given permission for the track to be used, and accused the campaigners of ignoring the song’s meaning.
Ed Sheeran confirms that his 2012 single "Small Bump" is not a Pro-Life song after it was used to promote the campaign. pic.twitter.com/ny7LLg83X9
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 19, 2018
“I’ve been informed that my song Small Bump is being used to promote the pro-life campaign, and I feel it’s important to let you know I have not given approval for this use, and it does not reflect what the song is about”, Sheeran wrote.
Despite attempts by the campaigners to seemingly hijack the song, Sheeran previously confirmed that the track was written in honour of a “close friend” who had experienced a still-birth five months into her pregnancy.
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Lyrics in the track include: “You were just a small bump unborn, just four months then torn from life. Maybe you were needed up there, but we’re still unaware as why.”
This Friday, Ireland will head to the pools to vote on whether to legalise abortion – with women currently forced to travel to other countries if they wish to terminate their pregnancy.
Vote on May 25th pic.twitter.com/jiCVZvfJuH
— U2 (@U2) May 1, 2018
A slew of high-profile campaigners including U2 have leant their support to the campaign to repeal Ireland’s eighth constitutional amendment, which will pave the way for the legalisation of abortion.
Posting on Twitter, the Irish rockers wrote: “Vote on May 25”.