The song is originally sung by a woman, talking about her life as a prostitute in the Big Easy. "The House of the Rising Sun" is a whore house. When you realize this, the lyrics become a bit more poignant, particularly regarding her little sister.
It's been recorded by any number of artists--Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Eric Burdon and the Animals... Most versions leave the gender female. Funny--I've never heard a woman record this, but Gamaliel just told me that Sinead O'Connor sings it as a b-side. I'll have to go look for that. [Ed. note: the song has also been recorded by Joan Baez and Dolly Parton.]
With chords included!
Am C D F
There is a house in New Orleans
Am C E7
They call the Rising Sun
Am C D F
It's been the ruin of many a poor girl
Am E7 Am
And me, Oh Lord, I'm one.
Am C D F
My mother, she's a tailor
Am C E7
She sews those new blue-jeans
Am C D F
My father, he's a gamblin man
Am E7 Am
Drinks down in New Orleans
My husband, he's a gambler
He goes from town to town
The only time he's satisfied
Is when he drinks his liquor down
Go tell my baby sister
Never do like I have done
Shun that house in New Orleans,
They call the Rising Sun
One foot on the platform
The other's on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans
To hang my head in shame
Going back to New Orleans
My race is almost run
I'm going to spend the rest of my life
Beneath that Rising Sun
There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
It's been the ruin of many a poor girl
And me, I know I'm one.