After Apollo Sunshine called it quits in 2009, it looked like Yellowbirds would become Cohen’s solo outlet. But after that project became a real band and then similarly dispersed last year, Cohen decided to release music under his given name for the first time. Though he plays just about all the instruments on Cool It, the sound is right in line with those two Yellowbirds releases. Gone are vestiges of the rootsiness Apollo Sunshine incorporated in early albums and the kitchen-sink aesthetic the band explored on parting shot Shall Noise Upon. With Yellowbirds and now this solo release, Cohen has settled comfortably into vintage, sunny psychedelia.
The House Of The Rising Sun
Sam Cohen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one
Go tell my baby sister, Lord Lord
Don't do what I have done
To shun that house in New Orleans
I'm going back to New Orleans
My race is almost run
I'm going, going back to spend my life
Beneath the Rising Sun
The House of the Rising Sun is a traditional folk song that originated in the United States in the 19th century. The lyrics tell the story of a young boy who has been ruined by gambling and other vices at the titular house in New Orleans. The song is a cautionary tale warning others not to follow in his footsteps. The boy asks his baby sister to heed his warning and not to succumb to the same temptations that he did. Despite his troubles, he cannot help but feel drawn back to the city and the lure of the Rising Sun.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, but it is generally understood to be about the ups and downs of life, the dangers of temptation and the importance of family. The Rising Sun could symbolize a variety of things, such as the red light district, a brothel or a casino. Some may see the song as an anti-gambling or anti-alcohol message, while others may interpret it as a commentary on the dangers of succumbing to vice in general.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a house in New Orleans
In the city of New Orleans, there is a particular house
They call the Rising Sun
It is known as the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
This house has brought many poor boys to their downfall
And God I know I'm one
I myself have been ruined by this house, and I am aware of it
Go tell my baby sister, Lord Lord
Please communicate with my younger sister, Oh, Lord
Don't do what I have done
Warn her not to make the same mistakes as me
To shun that house in New Orleans
To avoid that infamous house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
The one that is tagged the Rising Sun
I'm going back to New Orleans
I have decided to return to New Orleans
My race is almost run
My life is coming to an end soon
I'm going, going back to spend my life
I am heading back to spend the rest of my life
Beneath the Rising Sun
At the infamous and destructive house known as the Rising Sun
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alan Price
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Odic
The vocal's delay or reverb and maybe some saturation gives me chills on my spine , just wow genius choice of fx
It feels like you are in the same situation
EddySpaghetti
This perfectly captures the spirit of Man in the High Castle, too! Even the book!
Wendell Gunn
Fabulous rendition!
Waltuh I’m the god of war Waltuh
Wendell great comment
kwiltlvr
Nailed it!
Random Curry Puff
For people who say it’s not like the original, why should it be exactly like the original? A lot of cover songs in the past had slight lyrics change. The song is also made for the show where the Animals might not even exist.
Rob Pegg
The Animals version was was also a cover . What was the original?
Random Curry Puff
@Rob Pegg The Animals version is just the most popular one, I guess. No one knows where the song really came from.
E Molina
Resistance Radio is so COOL!!
TwoWay Analog
Awesome cover!