House of the Rising Sun
Rising Shadows: Unveiling the Tale of a Gambler's Descent
Lyrics
There is a house in New Orleans
Refers to a house located in New Orleans.
They call the Rising Sun,
The house is known as the Rising Sun.
And it's been the ruin for many a poor boy,
The house has been a cause of downfall for many impoverished individuals.
And God, I know I'm one.
The speaker acknowledges personal experience with the detrimental effects of the house.
My mother was a tailor,
Speaker's mother worked as a tailor.
Sewed my new blue jeans.
She sewed the speaker's new blue jeans.
My father was a gambling' man
Speaker's father was a gambler.
Down in New Orleans.
His gambling activities occurred in New Orleans.
Now, the only thing a gambler needs
A gambler requires a suitcase and trunk for their lifestyle.
Is a suitcase and a trunk,
Describes the necessities for a gambler.
And the only time he'll be satisfied
A gambler is only content when intoxicated.
Is when he's all drunk.
Highlights the connection between satisfaction and drunkenness for a gambler.
Oh, Mother, tell your children
The speaker urges their mother to caution future generations against repeating their mistakes.
Not to do what I have done,
A plea to avoid the speaker's past actions.
Spend your lives in sin and misery
Advises against a life of sin and suffering, particularly in the Rising Sun house.
In the house of the Rising Sun.
Reiterates the warning against the house of the Rising Sun.
Well, I've got one foot on the platform,
The speaker is in a transitional phase, symbolized by having one foot on the platform and the other on a train.
The other foot on the train.
Expresses a journey back to New Orleans with an anticipation of wearing a metaphorical ball and chain.
I'm going back to New Orleans
The destination is New Orleans.
To wear that ball and chain.
The speaker expects to face consequences symbolized by a ball and chain.
Well, there is a house in New Orleans
Repetition of the description of the house in New Orleans known as the Rising Sun.
They call the Rising Sun,
Reiterates the name of the house and its negative impact on individuals.
And it's been the ruin for many a poor boy,
Restates the ruin caused by the house for many impoverished individuals.
And God, I know I'm one.
The speaker reaffirms personal experience as one of the victims of the house's ruinous effects.
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