Odetta – House of the Rising Sun
Odetta Holmes (December 31, 1930 – December 2, 2008), known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a civil and human rights activist, often referred to as “The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement.” Read More >>
Odetta Live in concert 2005, “House of the Rising Sun”:
Odetta – House of the Rising Sun Lyrics
Most everyone knows this song, but when Odetta sang House of the Rising Sun live there two verses that told a remarkable story that was never included in any other version (highlighted in blue).
There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
It’s been the ruin of many poor girl
And I’m only oneIf I had listened what my mama said
I’d been at home today
But being young and foolish
Let a gambler lead me astrayMy mother, she’s a tailor
Sold those new blue jeans
My sweetheart, he’s a drunkard
Drinks way down in New Orleans
I was a young girl, I used to seek pleasure
when I was young girl, I used to drink ale
Out of an alehouse into this jail house
My body is ruined, they left me here to die
Had sixteen pretty maidens to carry my coffin
Had sixteen pretty maidens to sing me a song
Put bunches of roses over my coffin
so I looked pretty as I ride along
Go tell my baby sister
Never do like I have done
To shun the house in New Orleans
They call the Rising SunOne foot is on the platform
And the other one on this train
I’m going back to New Orleans
Can’t get rid of my ball and chainI’m going back to New Orleans
My race is almost run
I’m going back to spend my life
‘Neath the house of the rising sun
There is a house in New Orleans
– Odetta, House of the Rising Sun
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