The MASH song...

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 11:45:43 -0500

Based on an earlier thread, am I the only one who didn't get how sad this is?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIIqYqtR1lY

Suicide Is Painless (MASH Theme) with lyrics

M*A*S*H - Suicide is painless with lyrics I do not own, nor did I create the music.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Feb 15 at 2015 12:53 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 12:53:44 -0500

It really hit me the first time I saw the movie. Don't remember how old, but pretty young.

It goes to show how things endure.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 15 at 2015 1:09 PM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 13:09:57 -0500

Being a musician and music student, having the sheet music with words really brought home the words to me. I had seen the movie at a young age as well, the song in the movie was more somber than the TV Theme. Always a memorable song.
On the flip side, suicide is far from painless, it tears apart the surviving friends and family members.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 15 at 2015 1:41 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 13:41:22 -0500

Here's some irony for you regarding the song, more specifically as to the composition of the lyrics. I almost hated to read this, because I think the song is also quite poignant.
The song was written specifically for Ken Prymus (the actor playing Private Seidman), who sang it during the faux suicide of Walter "Painless Pole" Waldowski (John Schuck) in the film's "Last Supper" scene. Robert Altman (director) had two stipulations about the song for composer, Johnny Mandel. Firstly, it had to be called "Suicide Is Painless". Secondly, it had to be the "stupidest song ever written". Altman tried to write the lyrics himself, but found that it was too difficult for his 45-year-old brain to write "stupid enough". Instead he gave the task to his 14-year-old-son, Michael, who apparently wrote the lyrics in five minutes. (Wikipedia article)

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member and COL Vincent Stoneking and MSgt Michael Durkee

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 3:34 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 15:34:01 -0500

LTC Stephen C.. I find it very hard to believe this pure poetic verse was written to be the stupidist song by a fourteen year old child. I remember hearing it coming out reel to reel recorder in nurses quarters . . . played it over and over . . . felt deeply meaningful to me . . . as young nurse who had never seen so much blood and pain . . . and many horribly injured, dying, and dead patients. I still find it a kind, tender, sentimental reminder of another time and place. Warmest Regards, Sandy

SUICIDE IS PAINLESS ( MASH [THE MOVIE] RELEASED 1970 )

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.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 5:50 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:50:55 -0500

Wow, that is a sad song, MAJ Private RallyPoint Member. I always liked the song and I loved the show. Thanks for sharing it.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 5:50 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:50:57 -0500

One of the first things I searched for once I got online were the lyrics to this song. The simplicity and poignancy of the words hits me every time I hear it. After dealing with suicides of my dad and several friends, the words are even more moving today.

Ian, I think the dichotomy of upbeat music and the holy-crap depressing lyrics is one of the things that make it even more insightful - because depressed folks often keep up the facade of happiness on the surface, while the demons lurk within.

For those that might be interested, here is another that folks that have danced with depression might understand. Lonely Day, by System of a Down. Yes, the lyrics are childishly simple and they can't grammar in it, but it speaks the same language as Suicide is Painless.

"Lonely Day"

Such a lonely day
And it's mine
The most loneliest day of my life

Such a lonely day
Should be banned
It's a day that I can't stand

The most loneliest day of my life
The most loneliest day of my life

Such a lonely day
Shouldn't exist
It's a day that I'll never miss
Such a lonely day
And it's mine
The most loneliest day of my life

And if you go, I wanna go with you
And if you die, I wanna die with you

Take your hand and walk away

The most loneliest day of my life
The most loneliest day of my life
The most loneliest day of my life
Life

Such a lonely day
And it's mine
It's a day that I'm glad I survived

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnGdoEa1tPg

System Of A Down - Lonely Day

System of a Down's official music video for 'Lonely Day'. Click to listen to System of a Down on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/SystemSpotify?IQid=SystemLD As f...

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Feb 15 at 2015 6:50 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 18:50:27 -0500

Saw this film for the first time at the Rocket Magnet Theatre. It was one of the more popular features.

Suicidal ideation is a much less frequent phenomenon for me nowadays; I still enjoy the song and watched the original film for the second or third time ever a couple of weeks back.

Better than I remembered.