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 was a tailor
She sowed these new blue jeans
My sweetheart was a gambler, Lord
Down in New Orleans.

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.

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 rambling from town to town.

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
Down in the rising sun.

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