[Chorus]
There is a house down in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun.
And it's been the ruin of many a-poor girl
And me—oh, God—I'm one

[Verse 1]
My mother was a tailor
She sewed these new blue jeans
My sweetheart was a gambler, Lord
Down in New Orleans

[Verse 2]
Now the only thing a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk

[Verse 3]
He fills his glasses up to the brim
And he'll pass the cards around
And the only pleasure he gets out of life
Is ramblin' from town to town

[Verse 4]
Oh, tell my baby sister
Not to do what I have done!
But shun that house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
[Verse 5]
Well it's one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train!
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain

[Verse 6]
I'm a goin' back to New Orleans
My race is almost run!
I'm goin' back to end my life
Down in the Rising Sun

[Chorus]
There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
It's been the ruin of many a-poor girl
And me—oh, God—I'm one