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The Animals Lyrics

“The House Of The Rising Sun”

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
She sewed my new blue jeans
My father was a gamblin’ man
Down in New Orleans

Now the only thing a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
And the only time he’s satisfied
Is when he’s on a drunk

[Organ Solo]

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

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Thanks to Allegra Muilenburg, Chase, Das Pamjunk, Zach Southard for correcting these lyrics.

Writer(s): Alan Price

The song is a traditional folk song. The Animals recorded the most successful commercial version. It became their signature song, a number one in UK, United States and France charts and often described as the “first folk rock hit”.

The “rising sun” has been a symbol for brothels in British and American ballads. In the traditional folk version of the song, the main character is either a prostitute or a prisoner. The Animals changed it to a gambler to make their version more radio-friendly.

It is not known whether or not the house described in the lyrics was an actual or a fictitious place. There is a B&B in New Orleans called the House of the Rising Sun, decorated in brothel style. The owners are fans of the song, but there is no connection with the original place.

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• The Animals Lyrics

album: “The Animals [US]” (1964)

The House Of The Rising Sun
Blue Feeling
The Girl Can’t Help It
Baby Let Me Take You Home
(Night Time Is) The Right Time
Talkin’ ‘Bout You
Around And Around
I’m In Love Again
Gonna Send You Back To Walker
Memphis Tennessee
I’m Mad Again