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

That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please

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

Suicide is painless (suicide)
It brings on many changes (changes)
And I can take or leave it if I please

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

Suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please

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?

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


Lyrics submitted by worth

Suicide Is Painless Lyrics as written by Michael B Altman Johnny Mandel

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Suicide Is Painless song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    14 y.o. kid wrote lyrics about the war and the transience of life? You gotta be kidding...

    august1060on May 21, 2019   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    By the way, movie/series is just a pale copy of the Joseph Heller's book Catch 22.

    august1060on May 21, 2019   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    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.

    davidqcqon November 22, 2021   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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)

    Solinuson May 31, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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.)

    wisewhizon January 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Check out the version of this song by the soul jazz group Midnight Blue on their 'Inner City Blues ' album.

    Tangentialon October 07, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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.

    Mdb71on April 30, 2023   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    these are such great lyrics - probably my favourite lyrics ever, next to the sound of silence

    frozen_in_fireon January 08, 2005   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    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.

    poohblueskyon March 23, 2005   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    this is a great song. its so perfect in such a dark, disturbing way.

    tlgraham345on April 28, 2005   Link

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