The House Of The Rising Sun
Santa Esmeralda (1977) Lyrics
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They call the Rising Sun,
And it's been the ruin for many a poor boy,
And God, I know I'm one.
My mother was a tailor,
Sewed my new blue jeans.
My father was a gambling' man
Now, the only thing a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk,
And the only time he'll be satisfied
Is when he's all 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've got one foot on the platform,
The other foot on the train.
I'm going 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 for many a poor boy,
And God, I know I'm one.
"The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song that has been covered by many artists over the years. The version by Santa Esmeralda (1977) adds a disco beat and Latin flair to the classic tune. The lyrics tell the story of a young man who is drawn in by the allure of the nightlife in New Orleans, only to find himself trapped in the vicious cycle of gambling and alcohol. He warns others not to make the same mistakes he did, but it is too late for him. The "Rising Sun" in the title is a metaphor for a gambling house, and the singer is acknowledging that it has been his downfall.
The first two verses introduce the setting and the singer's background. The third verse reveals his addiction to gambling and the link between that and his alcoholism. The fourth verse is a plea to others to not follow in his footsteps, and the fifth verse has the singer leaving the city, but not before acknowledging that he is still a victim of his own vices. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song adds to the haunting nature of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a house in New Orleans
A specific house located in New Orleans is being referred to
They call the Rising Sun,
This house is called the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin for many a poor boy,
This house is known for ruining the lives of many poor boys
And God, I know I'm one.
The artist acknowledges that he is also a victim of this house
My mother was a tailor,
The artist's mother worked as a tailor
Sewed my new blue jeans.
The singer's mother made him new blue jeans
My father was a gambling' man
The singer's father was a man who was involved in gambling
Down in New Orleans.
This gambling took place in New Orleans
Now, the only thing a gambler needs
The artist is about to explain what a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk,
All a gambler needs is a suitcase and a trunk for their belongings
And the only time he'll be satisfied
The singer is about to explain when a gambler will be satisfied
Is when he's all drunk.
The only time a gambler will be satisfied is when they're intoxicated
Oh, Mother, tell your children
The singer is addressing mothers and is about to give them advice to pass on to their children
Not to do what I have done,
The singer advises children not to make the same mistakes that he has made
Spend your lives in sin and misery
The singer believes that spending one's life in sin and misery is a direct result of being involved with the Rising Sun
In the house of the Rising Sun.
Specifically, spending one's life in sin and misery is a result of being involved with this house
Well, I've got one foot on the platform,
The artist is currently standing at a train station with one foot up to step onto the train platform
The other foot on the train.
The singer is ready to leave New Orleans by train
I'm going back to New Orleans
Despite knowing the house's negative impact, the singer is returning to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain.
The artist feels like the Rising Sun is a burden, or ball and chain, that they must bear
Well, there is a house in New Orleans
The song ends where it began, referencing the house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun,
The house is still called the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin for many a poor boy,
The house has continued to ruin the lives of many poor boys
And God, I know I'm one.
The artist repeats his claim that he is a victim of this house
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN PRICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@graziemille2454
Was a poor graduate student at NYU in 1977. Just looking at albums in a record store. This was playing over the speakers. Fell in love with it. Splurged and bought album. Now, old lady in 2023. Working out in gym and need something to help with the rhythm of the battle ropes. Found again on YouTube. Can work those ropes for over 10 minutes cause of this music. Has an amazing mesmerizing effect! Funny that music listened to in lower Manhattan 45 years ago now comes back to positively impact my health. Strongly recommend listening to this while working out.
@user-uj2us3ph8v
Надеюсь на небесах посмотрю как в молодости танцевали с упоением на дискотеках под эту музыку С любовью и уважением 62 летняя девушка Виктория Маркарова
@user-hk8pg4xt9m
Пока ещё до небес далеко можно послушать другие версии этой песни, например группу - Hot R.S. Там точно молодость вспомните. И Демиса Руссоса. Я думаю вам понравится. Юрий 62 года
@fidelampuero5329
Y yo con 53 años escuchando santa esmeralda y que mejor en España Madrid
@salvadorayala2280
Por dios cuando en 2023. O. saldrá una joya cómo esta la escuché por vez primera en 1980 y me sigue contagiando a mis 70 años viva la via😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@coldeller2759
As a radio announcer, I warned the listening audience that I would play this song, and be prepared to be hooked on it. That was 2 years ago , and even today I get asked to play it again and again. So I do every couple of weeks and the requests for it from those who have never heard it before, still roll in to the station.
@michaelwilson7475
Where is your station? I’m in New Orleans and I work at a job with a lot of Hispanic people and lots of white people too. We had a karaoke Christmas party and I performed this song and this version which I love.
@ManvinMoralesbrenes
@Michael Wilson u6j6
@alejandroparedes572
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@armandogonzales1365
Badass song i l9ved dont let me be misunderstood when i was a kid now 58 i love this group