Hang Fire
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the sweet old country where I come from
Nobody ever works
Yeah nothing gets done
We hang fire, we hang fire

You know marrying money is a full time job
I don't need the aggravation
I'm a lazy slob
I hang fire, I hang fire
Hang fire, put it on the wire baby
Hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire baby, go ahead
Hang fire

We've got nothing to eat
We got nowhere to work
Nothing to drink
We just lost our shirts
I'm on the dole
We ain't for hire
Say what the hell
Say what the hell, hang fire
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby

Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo

Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire

Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Doo doo

Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo

Yeah ten thousand dollars, go have some fun
Put it all on at a hundred to one
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Doo doo
Doo doo, hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire




Put it on the wire, baby
Put it on the wire

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones’ song “Hang Fire” is a satirical commentary on the lazy and do-nothing attitude plaguing the singer's homeland. The opening lines convey the singer's frustration with the lack of work ethic while rendering a nostalgic longing for the sweetness of the old country. The singer then points out the irony of how in that old country, marrying money is treated as a full-time job, and anyone who does not want the hassle of working hard can easily become a lazy slob.


The refrain of the song, "Hang Fire," repeating throughout relays the emotions of complacency, apathy, and inertia. The second verse presents the stark contrast, highlighting the people's misery and poverty without jobs, food, or water, and no prospect of anything better. The chorus hits with a sense of sardonic urgency as if challenging someone, anyone, to use the last ten thousand dollars to go have some fun and put it all on at a hundred to one.


In summary, the song “Hang Fire” is an ironic reflection of the do-nothing attitude that permeates the singer's homeland. It paints the picture of a society where people can't get enough of the easy path and thus refuse to take responsibility for their destiny. The lyrics question and challenge the listener's approach to life, urging to do better, and embrace hard work.


Line by Line Meaning

In the sweet old country where I come from
Growing up in the country I'm from


Nobody ever works
No one really works hard


Yeah nothing gets done
Tasks are often left incomplete


We hang fire, we hang fire
We procrastinate and delay tasks


You know marrying money is a full time job
Marrying into wealth can be a full-time occupation


I don't need the aggravation
I don't want the stress of chasing money


I'm a lazy slob
I admit that I'm unmotivated


I hang fire, I hang fire
I delay and put off important tasks


Hang fire, put it on the wire baby
Delay and procrastinate, like you would send a message


Hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire baby, go ahead
Delay and procrastinate, and transmit this message


We've got nothing to eat
We have no food to consume


We got nowhere to work
We lack opportunities for employment


Nothing to drink
We have no liquids available


We just lost our shirts
We've experienced serious financial setbacks


I'm on the dole
I rely on unemployment benefits


We ain't for hire
We are not seeking employment


Say what the hell
What's the point


Say what the hell, hang fire
What's the point of rushing; let's procrastinate


Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Delay and procrastinate, and tell everyone


Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Keep delaying important tasks


Hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Delay and procrastinate, but let someone know about it


Doo doo doo
Vocalization


Yeah ten thousand dollars, go have some fun
Here's a large sum of money; spend it freely


Put it all on at a hundred to one
Take a major gamble


Doo doo, hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire
Delay and procrastinate, and transmit the message


Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Keep delaying important tasks


Put it on the wire, baby
Tell everyone about the delay




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@TheRollingStones

#GetWhatYouNeed 

@carloseduardocorreia2935

The Rolling Stones q

@pattyoconnor683

The Rolling Stones on Ed Sullivan show

@douggraham5082

This may not be the most famous Stones song, but it is my favorite.

@y.k.9705

@Johnny Chimpo True, but the stones live are just unbearable to me. And I listen to them all day long every day. Weird. I went to see them in 1981 "Tatoo You" tour and I sh't you not, I walked out. There was the Clash, Police, and some other bands.

@pickle5051

God bless The Rolling Stones for their healing sounds

@pickle5051

Perfect. Still makes me want to break stuff

@bilhamcobbly2957

With ya

@KOSMICKEN09

Slave is my fave on tattoo you. But it's an essential album for sure

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@tuntematonohikulkija2843

This is definitely one of the most underrated rolling stones song it has amazing jam and it's also extremely catchy

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