Welcome back to Blues, Bluegrass, and Beyond! The House of the Rising Sun has always been one of my favorite
songs. The versatility in the styles and instruments used to play the
traditional tune is unparalleled. The song can be played on piano, guitar,
organ, banjo, and nearly any instrument one could conjure to mind, and still
sound mournful and original. However, even though this song has been played in
the styles of rock n’ roll, bluegrass, blues, pop, and many others, it may carry its roots from either pre-colonial
England, or Civil War era America.
Supposedly,
according to legend, the song describes a mysterious brothel that originated in
Elizabethan England, and was only imported to the Americas during the 19th
century, while another version of the story states the song emanated from New
Orleans during the 1860’s. The song’s lyrics have also varied throughout the
years. Some versions of the song are told from a woman’s perspective, such as
the life of a prostitute, or a girl who married a criminal. Other versions
relate the tale of a man who became a criminal, partly due to poor parenting,
and partly due to a father with a penchant for gambling. The song’s legitimate
history however did not begin until the early 20th century. In the
1930’s the blues man, Lead Belly produced the song’s first famous recording.
Soon, other famous artists, such as Woody Guthrie, Josh White, and banjoist,
Pete Seeger recorded The House of the
Rising Sun in the 1940’s and 50’s. However, it wasn’t until the British
band, The Animals, led by singer,
Eric Burdon, recorded the song in May of 1964, in the key of A-minor, did it
gain international acclaim. Since then, numerous famous, and hometown musicians
alike, have put their own touch to this old classic tune.
Picture is original. My very own Hohner harmonica. |
The harmonic tablature for The House of the Rising Sun, and my video giving a short background on the old tune, and playing the song on harmonica is below. I altered it slightly,
however, you can still visist the original on harptabs.
4 -4 5 -5 -6 6 -4 4-4bb-8
-8 -8
7 -6 6-6bb -8 -8 -8 -8 7 -66 6 - 4 4 -4bb
There is a house in New Or-leans. They call the Rising Sun. And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
-4 -4 -4 4 -4bb-4bb -4 -4
And God I- know-- I'm one
All photos are original.
All photos are original.
I love the history of the song. This is not something I would generally listen to, but you make me want to.
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