The House of the Rising Sun
Rising Shadows of Regret: Unveiling the Dark Tale in The House of the Rising Sun
Lyrics
There is a house in New Orleans
Describes a house in New Orleans known as the Rising Sun.
They call the Rising Sun
Refers to the house as the Rising Sun.
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
Suggests that the house has caused the downfall of many impoverished individuals.
And God, I know I'm one
Expresses a personal acknowledgment of being one of the victims of the house's ruin.
My mother was a tailor
Introduces the singer's mother as a tailor.
She sewed my new blue jeans
Highlights the mother's role in sewing the singer's new blue jeans.
My father was a gamblin' man
Reveals that the father was a gambling man in New Orleans.
Down in New Orleans
Locates the father's gambling activities in New Orleans.
Now the only thing a gambler needs
States that the essential possession for a gambler is a suitcase and trunk.
Is a suitcase and trunk
Emphasizes the material needs of a gambler.
And the only time he'll be satisfied
Implies that a gambler is only content when intoxicated.
Is when he's all drunk
Suggests that satisfaction for a gambler comes when in a state of drunkenness.
Oh, mother, tell your children
Addreses the singer's mother, advising children not to follow the singer's path.
Not to do what I have done
Warns against engaging in a life of sin and misery similar to the singer's.
Spend your lives in sin and misery
Advises spending life differently to avoid the negative consequences mentioned.
In the House of the Rising Sun
Reiterates the association of sin and misery with the House of the Rising Sun.
Well, I got one foot on the platform
Describes the singer's current state with one foot on the platform and the other on the train.
The other foot on the train
Expresses the intention to return to New Orleans while anticipating a burden (ball and chain).
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
Specifies the destination as New Orleans.
To wear that ball and chain
Anticipates wearing a metaphorical ball and chain upon returning to New Orleans.
Well, there is a house in New Orleans
Repeats the earlier 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 of many a poor boy
Restates that the house has been the ruin of many impoverished individuals.
And God, I know I'm one
Confirms the singer's personal recognition of being adversely affected by the house.
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