Life sucks, then you die That's pretty much what it means. Take it or leave it, it's gonna happen, so you might as well learnt to roll with it.

I like a lot of the lyrics throughout the song, they're poetic and beautiful particularly within the backdrop of the movie and the Korean War.
Still though the main refrain drives me crazy. "Suicide is painless"? Why would it be painless? "It brings on many changes"? Yes, I would think dying would bring on a few changes here and there. It's kind of a big deal.
That's just written in a very clunky kind of way. It's too bad because much of the rest of the song is great.

I find it disheartening that anyone could require interpretation of one of the most transparent and accessible anthems of the 20th century.
Do you need Cliff Notes for Happy Birthday?

The low key way they sang it was done purposely,it was done for effect.You meant should have SUNG it.A real emotional variation IMO would have been over the top.

The singers of the song should have been shot. They sound like they are on valium. Someone capable of singing with feeling and emotion should have sang it. Janis Joplin would have been excellent.

tHAT WAS A VERY THOUGHTFUL AND INSIGHTFUL 14 YEAR OLD

great song

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I presume that the verse starting-(1)I try to find a way to make- is part of the official
lyrics. But I have yet to find a recorded version that includes that verse. Some also
omit the verse starting-(2)The only way to win is cheat. The soundtrack version used over
the opening credits includes #2, but not #1. The version sung during Painless' last
supper is even shorter. It omits #1 and skips from the end of verse #2 to the final
extended refrain. They use a wonderful instrumental and choral version(No Lyrics) for
the following sequence-Painless' res-erection. They must have used whichever version fit
the edited sequence, timewise.

To answer my own question; just got a copy of the soundtrack on CD and it's basically just a compilation of sound clips from the movie.
Glad I didn't pay much for it. But the mystery of that additional verse continues
"
All
the long distance lines are down? What about the satellites, is it snowing in space?"

I know the 'only way to win is cheat' verse is from a scene in the movie, but I've never heard this verse before;
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]
Is it available on any version of the song anywhere? I don't own the soundtrack, maybe someone can tell me if these two extra verses are on it?
"
All
the long distance lines are down? What about the satellites, is it snowing in space?"

If I remember, I think when it was first shown on TV they used an instrumental version of the theme then as well.
Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans

I once worked for a broadcast radio station. There was a memo from management posted in the disk jokey's booth that mandated, THE VOCAL VERSION OF THE THEME FROM MASH IS (UNDERLINED) NEVER TO BE PLAYED ON THE AIR.
As I recall, the TV series used an intrumental only version of the theme.

Oh, cool, thanks.
Cause we find ourselves in the same old mess singin' drunken lullabies
-Flogging Molly

To Mmm Vampires. They used a shortened version of the song with no lyricsjust the music for the TV series.

An additional verse is sung later in the movie, during a "funeral" scene.
As for the other missing verse, it's easy to find online (including right here on IMDB).

My question is why are their so many lines writen that aren't actually sung in the song, but everyone seems to know?

No offense, but isn't the meaning of the song obvious without a lot of English Lit class explanation? Plus, I've always taken the song to be a reference to the character Painless, who thinks he's commiting suicide when he ingests the "black pill."
Always paint the ceiling before the walls.

We used to sing this song in middle school music class when the tv show was popular. How times have changed! That would be a lawsuit waiting to happen now.

the folks in my office are so young they did not know the song had words.
i bought the sound track to the movie,and the song expands as it is done different ways,orcestrated and reprise. highly recommended.

I thought the lyrics to the opening were brilliant. Did they use them for the TV series as well?
"And listen to the music of the night"
Phantom of the Opera, 2004

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