The Real House of the Rising Sun
Waylon Jennings · Don't Think Twice [1970]
There is a house down in New Orleans
They call the Rising sun
It's been the ruin of many poor boys and me
Oh God, I'm one.
My mother was a taylor
She sowed these old blue jeans
My father was a gambler
Lord, down in New Orleans.
Go tell my baby sister
Not to do the the things I've done
Outshine that house down in New Orleans
They call the Rising sun.
There is a house down in New Orleans
they call the Rising sun
It's been the ruin of many poor boys and me
Oh God, I'm one...
The Real House of the Rising Sun
Waylon Jennings' 1970 recording of 'The Real House of the Rising Sun' stands as a cornerstone of outlaw country, blending traditional folk storytelling with his signature twang. Released on the album 'Don't Think Twice,' the track exemplifies the genre's emphasis on narrative depth and emotional resonance. Jennings' delivery transforms the song's depiction of a woman's resilience into an anthem of endurance, capturing the spirit of the era's independent musicians who rejected mainstream polish for raw authenticity. The composition has since transcended its original context, becoming a definitive standard in country music that highlights the genre's capacity to address universal themes of struggle and survival through a distinct regional lens.