"The game of life is hard to play... I'm going to lose it anyway."

This is one of the two songs I remember having to learn in music class. In Catholic school no less. Somebody was being subversive, though I can't, for the life of me, remember who.

[The other song? "Windy." Go figure.]

"Suicide is Painless..." What an amazingly morbid song to teach Jr High school students. I'd blame such crazy morbidity as contributing to my typical teenage thoughts of suicide, when confronted by such overwhelming tragedy as unrequited crushes and parental disconnect.

[Um, it was typical, right? I'm not just overwhelmingly screwed up and dysfunctional, right? I've read lots of teens think about the big "S." Let's just assume I'm not all touched in the head, kay?]

Still a great song though. Great movie. Great TV.

"The pain grows stronger. Watch it grin."

M*A*S*H Theme Song:

""Suicide is Painless"
Music by Johnny Mandel
Lyrics by Mike Altman

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 to late, and...

REFRAIN



The game of life is hard to play
I'm going to 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?'

'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."