verse 1:
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...(chorus)

chorus:
Suicide is painless,
It brings on many changes,
and I can take or leave it
If I please.

verse 2:
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)

verse 3:
The game if life is hard to play,
I’m going to lose it anyway.
The losing card I’ll someday lay,
So this is all I have to say,
That...(chorus)

verse 4:
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.
’Cause...(chorus)

verse 5:
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.
For...(chorus)

verse 6:
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...(chorus)

And you can do the same thing if you please.

FILM

The song is performed at the beginning of the film with verses 1, 3, 5, and 6. During Captain Waldowski’s funeral it is performed again with verses 1, 3, and 4.

TV SERIES

Instrumental versions appear at the begin and end of each episode, and also during a few episodes.

OTHER VERSIONS

Al de Lory (1970)
Ahmad Jamal from the album JAMALCA (1974)
Paul Desmond from the album PURE DESMOND (1974)
Kerstin Forslund and Small Town Singers (1975)
Bill Evans from the album YOU MUST BELIEVE IN SPRING (1981)
Cal Tjader from the album THE SHINING SEA (1981)
Jimmy Smith from the album OFF THE TOP (1982)
Manic Street Preachers (1992)
Royal Trux from the album SINGLES, LIVE, UNRELEASED (1993)
Marilyn Manson from the film BOOK OF SHADOWS: BLAIR WITCH 2 (2000)
Lady and Bird from the album LADY AND BIRD (2003)
Matt Costa from the E.P. THE ELASMOSAURUS E.P. (2005)