Mystery in Hanoi

Annotation

The song "Mystery in Hanoi" (RCI Records Inc. # 3003) by Jim Lee, a traditional pop tune that dealt with the P.O.W. issue. As suggested in the title, the song framed the issue of prisoners in North Vietnam as a mystery: "what has happened to all the prisoners". The narrator wanted to know whether or not they had been killed: "have they found their peace up in heaven...will the prisoners ever return". Released in 1971 on a Elmsford, New York based song poem company - song lyrics, sent to specialist publishing and recording companies, usually in response to an advertisement, that have been set to music for a fee (around $200-400). Hundreds of them dealt with political issues, including the Vietnam War.1 Produced by Ronnie Carpenter, and lyrics by Henry L. Miller.Sources1Song Poem Music↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Song Poems

The song "Mystery in Hanoi" (RCI Records Inc. # 3003) by Jim Lee, a traditional pop tune that dealt with the P.O.W. issue. As suggested in the title, the song framed the issue of prisoners in North Vietnam as a mystery: "what has happened to all the prisoners". The narrator wanted to know whether or not they had been killed: "have they found their peace up in heaven...will the prisoners ever return". Released in 1971 on a Elmsford, New York based song poem company.1 Produced by Ronnie Carpenter, and lyrics by Henry L. Miller.Sources1Song Poem Music↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: There's a mystery in Hanoi, tell us truly if you know / What has happened to all the prisoners, sons and husbands that we love so / We have prayed for their returning, and there is one thing we must all know / What's the mystery in Hanoi, where did all the prisoners go / Are they far away in bondage...are they all among the angels in the holy land / We have hopes of them returning, and you know our hearts do yearn / But the mystery that's in Hanoi, will the prisoners ever return / And they all died for their country, are they now at home with god / Have they found their peace up in heaven where they put beneath the sun / There's many shadows in Hanoi / But the truth, oh will we never learn / What's the mystery that's in Hanoi, why can't all the prisoners return

Notes

RCI Records, 4 William Street, Elmsford, N.Y. 10523; 3003-A, 45 R.P.M.; "Mystery in Hanoi" (Henry L. Miller), Lone Lake Songs, Inc., BMI, time 2:12; producer Ronnie Carpenter. Green label with star. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

P.O.W. · Soldier's Perspective · Song Poem

In collections

P.O.W. / M.I.A. Songs · Song Poems · US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]