House of the Rising Sun
Risin' Sun's Tale: A Journey Through Regret and Redemption
Lyrics
There is a house in New Orleans
Introduction of a house in New Orleans known as the Rising Sun.
They call the Risin' Sun.
Reiterating the name "Risin' Sun" for the house.
Been the ruin of a many a poor gal,
Describing how the house has been the downfall of many unfortunate women.
And me, oh, God, I'm one!
Expressing personal sorrow and being a victim of the house's influence.
If I'd a-listened what mama said
Reflecting on not heeding mother's advice, which could have kept the speaker out of trouble.
I'd a-been at home today.
Regret for not staying home as advised.
Being so young and foolish, poor boy,
Acknowledging youthful foolishness and vulnerability to negative influences, particularly from a gambler.
I let a gambler lead me astray.
Conveying how the speaker was led astray by a gambler.
My mother, she's a tailor,
Introducing the speaker's mother as a tailor.
She sewed those new blue jeans.
Detailing the mother's work of sewing new blue jeans.
My sweetheart, he's a drunkard, Lord,
Describing the sweetheart as a drunkard who drinks in New Orleans.
Drinks down in New Orleans.
Highlighting the problematic behavior of the sweetheart.
The only thing a drunkard needs
Stating the basic needs of a drunkard, emphasizing simplicity (suitcase and trunk).
Is a suitcase and a trunk
Associating the drunkard's satisfaction with having these possessions.
The only time he's satisfied
Indicating the drunkard's contentment only during intoxication.
Is when he's on a drunk.
Linking satisfaction to being in a state of drunkenness.
Fills his glasses to the brim,
Describing the act of filling glasses to the brim and sharing them.
Passes them around,
Emphasizing the communal aspect of drinking.
The only pleasure that he gets out of life
Expressing that the only pleasure for the drunkard is wandering from town to town.
Is a-hoboin' from town to town.
Portraying a transient lifestyle as the only source of joy for the drunkard.
Go tell my baby sister
Instructing the baby sister not to follow the speaker's negative path.
Never do like I have done,
Advising the sister to avoid the house in New Orleans, the Rising Sun.
To shun that house in the New Orleans
Reiterating the warning against the destructive influence of the Rising Sun.
That they call the Risin' Sun!
Labeling the house as the Risin' Sun once again for emphasis.
One foot's on the platform,
Depicting the speaker with one foot on the platform and the other on the train.
The other on the train,
Indicating the speaker's intention to return to New Orleans.
I'm going back to New Orleans
Expressing a sense of inevitability in returning to the troublesome place.
To wear that ball and chain.
Referring to wearing a metaphorical ball and chain, suggesting a burdensome consequence.
Going back to New Orleans,
Repeating the desire to go back to New Orleans, hinting at a cyclical struggle.
My time is almost done
Expressing a feeling that time is running out or nearing an end.
Going back to spend my life
Stating the intention to spend the rest of life beneath the Rising Sun, suggesting a fatalistic resignation.
Beneath that Rising Sun.
Reiterating the association of life with the troublesome house in New Orleans.
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