M*A*S*H Theme Song Lyrics

(Aired on CBS from September 17, 1972 to February 28, 1983)
(M*A*S*H is an acronym for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital)

(Suicide is Painless was composed by Johnny Mandel with lyrics written by Mike Altman, Robert Altman's son)
(The elder Altman directed the movie M*A*S*H)

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...

[Chorus]:
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...

[Chorus]

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.

[Chorus]

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.

[Chorus]

MASH
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...

[Chorus]

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

[Thanks to catkins702 for correcting these lyrics]