First, there was a 1968 book by Richard Hooker, "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors". Then, there was a 1970 movie, "MASH", directed by Robert Altman and written by Ring Lardner, Jr. Finally, a TV show, "MASH", which ran from Sept 1972 - Feb 1983. The series was set in South Korea, at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) during the Korean War, and followed the antics and tragedies of the doctors, nurses, and support staff. The show's run lasted longer than the actual Korean War (1950-53). The movie and the TV show were allegories about both the Korean and VietNam wars.The television show's theme was instrumental, but in the movie, there were lyrics. Robert Altman wanted it to be the "stupidist song ever written". He tried to write the lyrics himself, but ended up getting his then 14 year old son, Michael, to write them. It was written specifically for the faux suicide scene of the dentist, Walter "Painless Pole" Waldoski. Altman liked the song so well, he ended up using it as the film's main theme.Suicide Is Painless (Theme From Mash) - Words by Mike Altman. Music by Johnny MandelThrough 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.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...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.That suicide is painless.It brings on many changes.And I can take or leave it if I please.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.That suicide is painless.It brings on many 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, but...That 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?'That suicide is painless.It brings on many changes.And I can take or leave it if I please.'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 choose.