Learn how to play House of the Rising Sun by The Animals. "House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues". It tells of a life gone wrong in New Orleans.
Listen to the song for the arpeggio pattern
Am C D F
—
Am E Am E
—
Am C D F
There is a house in New Orleans
Am C E E
They call the Rising Sun
Am C D F
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
Am E Am
And God, I know, I'm one
C D F
—
Am E Am E
—
Am C D F
My mother was a tailor
Am C E E
She sewed my new blue jeans
Am C D F
My father was a gamblin' man
Am E Am
Down in New Orleans
Repeat the previous instrumental
Am C D F
Now, the only thing a gambler needs
Am C E E
Is a suitcase and a trunk
Am C D F
And the only time that he's satisfied
Am E Am
Is when he's on a drug
Repeat the previous instrumental
An organ solo is played over these chords
Am C D F
—
Am C E E
—
Am C D F
—
Am E
—
Am C D F
—
Am E Am E
—
Am C D F
Oh, Mother, tell your children
Am C E E
Not to do what I have done
Am C D F
Spend your lives in sin and misery
Am E Am
In the house of the risin' sun
Repeat the previous instrumental
Am C D F
Well, I've got one foot on the platform
Am C E E
The other foot on the train
Am C D F
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
Am E Am
To wear that ball and chain
Repeat the previous instrumental
Am C D F
Well, there is a house in New Orleans
Am C E E
They call the Risin' Sun
Am C D F
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
Am E Am
And God, I know, I'm one.
Repeat the Am - Dm until fade out
C D F
—
Am E
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Am Dm Am Dm Am Dm---
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