Roger, along with the other Byrds members, was honored with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
Hanoi Hannah
Roger McGuinn Lyrics
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And when she wasn't workin'
She kept the coffee perkin'
For the guy who didn't have to pay
On Hanoi Hanna workin' all my blues away
My home is in Kentucky but lovin' makes me want to stay
The captain says I'm lucky
And Hanoi Hanna workin' all my blues away
Well I never would have thought
I'd get so lost out here
Smokin' marijuana and drinkin' beer
And tryin' not to think about the time next year
When me and all my buddies gonna disappear
Hanoi Hanna workin' all my blues away
Hanoi Hannah took her shoes and ran away
When I hold her I was headin'
To have myself a weddin'
To my baby in the U.S.A.
Good-bye Hannah I really don't know what to say
Well good-bye Hannah
Well good-bye Hannah
Well good-bye Hannah
The song "Hanoi Hannah" by Roger McGuinn is a poignant commentary on the Vietnam War and its impact on American soldiers. The lyrics offer a glimpse into the lives of soldiers who are struggling to cope with the harsh realities of war while at the same time longing for the comforts of home.
The song's opening lines, "Hanoi Hannah averaged 'bout a man a day, and when she wasn't workin', she kept the coffee perkin' for the guy who didn't have to pay" refer to the infamous Vietnamese radio personality, Trịnh Thị Ngọ, who was known for broadcasting anti-American propaganda to US military personnel during the Vietnam War. The reference to Hannah keeping the coffee perkin' for the guy who didn't have to pay likely alludes to the fact that US officers and enlisted men were paid a higher wage than their Vietnamese counterparts, making it easier for them to buy goods and services.
The song also touches on themes of loneliness and homesickness with lines like "My home is in Kentucky but lovin' makes me want to stay. The captain says I'm lucky but the chaplain says I ought to pray." These lyrics convey a sense of conflicted emotions that many soldiers experienced while serving overseas. They longed for the comfort and familiarity of home but were also grappling with the intensity and complexity of their wartime experiences.
Overall, "Hanoi Hannah" is a powerful commentary on the human toll of war and the psychological impact it has on those who serve. Through its imagery and poignant lyrics, the song captures the mixed emotions of American soldiers serving in Vietnam.
Line by Line Meaning
Hanoi Hannah averaged 'bout a man a day
Hanoi Hannah was romantically involved with a lot of men, one man every day on average.
And when she wasn't workin', she kept the coffee perkin', for the guy who didn't have to pay
When not with her men, Hanoi Hannah brewed coffee to keep it ready for the one guy who never had to pay.
On Hanoi Hanna workin' all my blues away
Being with Hanoi Hannah helped the singer forget his worries and woes.
My home is in Kentucky but lovin' makes me want to stay
Though his home is far away in Kentucky, his newfound love makes him feel like staying.
The captain says I'm lucky but the chaplan says I ought to pray
The captain says he's fortunate, but the chaplan believes he should seek solace in prayer.
And Hanoi Hanna workin' all my blues away
Once again, the singer finds comfort in being with Hanoi Hannah.
Well I never would have thought I'd get so lost out here
The singer didn't expect to feel so disoriented in his current situation.
Smokin' marijuana and drinkin' beer
He copes with this feeling by smoking marijuana and drinking beer.
And tryin' not to think about the time next year
He tries to avoid thoughts about what will happen to him and his friends in the next year.
When me and all my buddies gonna disappear
They all fear that they will vanish, perhaps at the hands of the enemy or from battle-related causes.
Hanoi Hanna workin' all my blues away
Once again, being with Hanoi Hannah offers some relief from anxiety and stress.
Hanoi Hannah took her shoes and ran away
Hanoi Hannah fled the situation and disappeared.
When I hold her I was headin' to have myself a weddin' to my baby in the U.S.A.
When he was with her, he had thoughts of a future that involved marriage to someone else back home.
Good-bye Hannah I really don't know what to say
The singer says farewell to Hanoi Hannah, feeling unsure about how he feels about her fleeing.
Well good-bye Hannah
The song ends with a repetition of the farewell to Hanoi Hannah.
Well good-bye Hannah
Well good-bye Hannah
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: JACQUES LEVY, ROGER MCGUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind