In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor girl,
And me, oh Lord is one
If I had listened to what my mother said
I'd have been at home today,
But I was young and foolish, Oh God
Let a gambler lead me astray
My mother is a taylor
She sews those new blue jeans
My sweetheart is a drunkard, Lord
Down in New Orleans
The only thing a drunkard needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
The only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk
He'll fill his glasses to the brim
He passes them around
And the only pleasure he gets out of life
Is bumming from town to town
Go tell my baby sister,
Never do what I have done
To shun that house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
It's one foot on the platform
And the other one on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
My race is almost run
I'm goin' back to spend my life
Beneath that Rising Sun
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor girl,
And me, oh Lord is one
If I had listened to what my mother said
I'd have been at home today,
But I was young and foolish, Oh God
Let a gambler lead me astray
My mother is a taylor
She sews those new blue jeans
My sweetheart is a drunkard, Lord
Down in New Orleans
The only thing a drunkard needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
The only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk
He'll fill his glasses to the brim
He passes them around
And the only pleasure he gets out of life
Is bumming from town to town
Go tell my baby sister,
Never do what I have done
To shun that house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
It's one foot on the platform
And the other one on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
My race is almost run
I'm goin' back to spend my life
Beneath that Rising Sun
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
House of the Rising Sun Lyrics as written by Alan Price
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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