There is a house down in New Orleans
They call the rising sun
And it's been the ruin of many poor girl
And me, oh god, I'm one

My mother, she's a tailor
She sews those new blue jeans
My daddy he's a drunkard
Drinks down in New Orleans

Well, the only thing a drunkard needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk

Oh tell my baby sister
Not to do what I have done
But shun that house in New Orleans
They call the rising sun

Well, it's one foot on the platform
And the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain

I'm going back to New Orleans
My race is almost run
I'm going back to end my life
Beneath that rising sun