There is a house in New Orleans They call the "Rising Sun" It's been the ruin of many a poor boy And God, I know, I'm one My mother was a tailor She sewed those new blue jeans My father he's a gambling man Drinks down in New Orleans Now the only thing a gambler needs Is a suitcase and a drink The only time, you keep him 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 Rising Sun One foot on the platform The other's on the train I'm going back to New Orleans To wear that ball and chain Yes there is a house in New Orleans They call the "Rising Sun" It's been the ruin of many a poor boy And God, I know, I'm one