The House Of The Rising Sun
Guy Ivory Lyrics
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There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one
My mother was a tailor
My father was a gamblin' man
Down in New Orleans
Now the only thing a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and trunk
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk
Oh mother tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun
Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain
Well, there is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one
Guy Ivory's version of "The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song that paints a haunting picture of a house in New Orleans that has brought ruin to many young men, including the singer. The song speaks to the struggles of addiction, sin, and the burden of past mistakes. The song's somber tone and melancholic lyrics evoke a sense of regret and hopelessness that is both powerful and relatable.
The song tells a story of a young man whose father was a gambler and mother was a tailor. Having grown up in New Orleans, the singer is familiar with the dangers of addiction that come with the city's nightlife. Despite the cautionary advice from his mother, he finds himself drawn to the city's infamous house of ill repute, the Rising Sun. As he contemplates his past mistakes and the future that awaits him, he realizes that he is destined to go back to New Orleans and face the consequences of his choices.
One interesting fact about "The House of the Rising Sun" is that despite its popularity, the song's origins remain unclear. While the song has been attributed to numerous artists and styles over the years, its true authorship and meaning remain a mystery. Additionally, the song has been covered by countless artists, including Bob Dylan, The Animals, and Dolly Parton. In fact, The Animals' version of the song was so popular that it became their signature hit and one of the most recognizable songs of the 1960s. Another interesting fact is that the song's lyrics have evolved over time, with each artist adding their own unique spin to the story. The result is a song that has become a cultural touchstone and a symbol of a bygone era.
Chords (Capo 2):
Am, C, D, F, E, Am.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a house in New Orleans
In the city of New Orleans, a specific house is known to many people
They call the Rising Sun
It is known as the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
It has ruined the lives of countless young men who had nothing
And God I know I'm one
I am one of the men whose life has been ruined by that house
My mother was a tailor
My mother was skilled in sewing clothes
She sewed my new bluejeans
She sewed me a pair of new denim pants
My father was a gamblin' man
My father was a man who often placed bets on games of chance
Down in New Orleans
He was in the city of New Orleans at the time
Now the only thing a gambler needs
The only thing that a gambler requires to feel content
Is a suitcase and trunk
Are suitcases and trunks to hold his belongings
And the only time he's satisfied
The only moment that truly pleases him
Is when he's on a drunk
Is when he is drunk
Oh mother tell your children
I implore you, mothers, to advise your children
Not to do what I have done
To not follow in my footsteps
Spend your lives in sin and misery
Otherwise, they will lead a life of vice and despair
In the House of the Rising Sun
Just like I did when I fell under the influence of that fateful place
Well, I got one foot on the platform
I am currently standing on the boarding platform
The other foot on the train
And I already have one foot on the train that will take me to New Orleans
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
I am returning to the city I had left before
To wear that ball and chain
Where I will wear the symbol of imprisonment
Well, there is a house in New Orleans
As I said before, there is one house in this city
They call the Rising Sun
And it carries the name of the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
A house that has claimed the future of many young men who had nothing to begin with
And God I know I'm one
I am one of the ones who suffered under its roof
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.