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Suicide Is Painless Lyrics
Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...
[REFRAIN]:
that suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hate
but now I know that it's too late, and...
[REFRAIN]
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.
[REFRAIN]
The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
and to another give my seat
for that's the only painless feat.
[REFRAIN]
The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...
[REFRAIN]
A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
is it to be or not to be
and I replied 'oh why ask me?'
[REFRAIN]
'Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
...and you can do the same thing if you please.
Song Info
Copyright
Lyrics © Bmg Rights Management, Sony/atv Music Publishing Llc, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing, Ctm Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer
Johnny Mandel, Michael B Altman
Duration
2:52
Producer
Johnny Mandel
Release date
Jan 01, 1970
Sentiment
Neutral
Submitted by
worth On Jun 14, 2002
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14 y.o. kid wrote lyrics about the war and the transience of life? You gotta be kidding...
By the way, movie/series is just a pale copy of the Joseph Heller's book Catch 22.
It meant nothing when i was in my twenties, 30 plus years later, i have a greater understanding for the truth behind the lyrics, it does not condone suicide but rather explains a final way to escape. I love the song but it does make me rather sad.
A great song from a great movie, this song encapsulates the frustrated irony of MASH.
Anyway, its supposed to be ironic, not serious. Its not pro-suicide. Used in the movie MASH, specifically in the instance that a dentist was considering suicide because, as I recall, he thought he was gay. (which he wasn't, he was just disturbed)
Such a hauntingly beautiful song. It really conveys the sense of apathy and hopelessness that comes about with depression and suicide. And to think that it was written by a 14-year-old. (Trivia time: It was written by Mike Altman, the son of the movie's director, Robert Altman. Mike got a lot richer than his dad from the movie.)
Check out the version of this song by the soul jazz group Midnight Blue on their 'Inner City Blues ' album.
In no way suicide could or would ever be done without pain. That is beyond any sense or degree of intelligence. A lot of despair and loss go into a mind before suicide. And a specific pain gets transferred to the survivors as well. I lost my father to suicide when I was eleven.
these are such great lyrics - probably my favourite lyrics ever, next to the sound of silence
i don\'t think may people know that this song has words to it. they just know the tune from the start of the TV show.
this is a great song. its so perfect in such a dark, disturbing way.