The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
There is a house in Charming Town
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor girl
And me, Oh God, I'm one
If I listened to my mama
Lord I'd be home today
But I was young and foolish
Handsome rider led me astray
Go tell my baby sister
Never do what I've done
To shun the house in Charming Town
They call the Rising Sun
My Mother, she's a tailor
She sewed my new blue jeans
My sweetheart he's a rambler
Lord he rides an old machine
Now the only thing a rambler needs
Is a suitcase and a gun
The only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on the run
He fills his chamber up with lead
And takes his pain to town
Only pleasure he gets out of life
Is bringing another man down
He's got one hand on the throttle
The other on the brake
He's riding back to Redwood
On his father's stake
And me I wait in Charming Town
To gain my love as one
I'm staying here to end my life
Down in the Rising Sun
And I'm staying here to end my life
Down in the Rising Sun
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor girl
And me, Oh God, I'm one
If I listened to my mama
Lord I'd be home today
But I was young and foolish
Handsome rider led me astray
Go tell my baby sister
Never do what I've done
To shun the house in Charming Town
They call the Rising Sun
My Mother, she's a tailor
She sewed my new blue jeans
My sweetheart he's a rambler
Lord he rides an old machine
Now the only thing a rambler needs
Is a suitcase and a gun
The only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on the run
He fills his chamber up with lead
And takes his pain to town
Only pleasure he gets out of life
Is bringing another man down
He's got one hand on the throttle
The other on the brake
He's riding back to Redwood
On his father's stake
And me I wait in Charming Town
To gain my love as one
I'm staying here to end my life
Down in the Rising Sun
And I'm staying here to end my life
Down in the Rising Sun
Lyrics submitted by kambiz_mbi
House Of The Rising Sun Lyrics as written by Alan Price
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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