Hang Fire

A swipe at The Stone's home country of England. They imply that the people are lazy and the politicians incompetent. It was first recorded in 1978 at the Some Girls sessions. Lyrics were added and it was repackaged for Tattoo You. Also a "Hang fire" is what happens when you pull the trigger on a rifle or pistol and nothing happens for a few seconds, then the gun goes off without warning, in a delayed reaction. A misfire is where you pull the trigger and NOTHING happens. Needless to say, hangfires are quite dangerous.

In the sweet old country where I come from Nobody ever works Totally Brazil

To "hang fire" also means to put off doing anything, to delay. In other words, "We just keep putting everything off." A funny takeoff on the UK's crappy economy and socialism-induced zombification of the workforce. But you can tell that even though the Stones are poking fun at England, they're doing it affectionately. Makes me grin every time.

Say what the hell- Say WHAT THE HELL!!

One day many years ago, I was doing a bong when this song came on, and couldn't help but notice that when my lighter was at the appropriate angle, the fire did indeed seem to hang over the bowl. Thus, I concluded that "hang fire" means "get stoned."

Ok, try this. It means there will be consequences to being politically lazy now as in protests so that when it all comes to a boil there will be tragic violent protests in the streets ie the delayed gun finally goes off. Jagger seems to be mocking it as if the English people would rather be lazy now and revel in the fact that they sure will do something about it later but only when it comes to that disastrous boil later.