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 ramblin' 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 Risin' Sun.

Well, it's a-one foot on the platform
and the other foot on the train.
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
to wear that ball and chain.

I'm a-goin' back to New Orleans,
my race is almost run.
I'm goin' back to end my life
down in The Risin' Sun.

There is a house in New Orleans
they call The Risin' Sun.
It's been the ruin of many a poor girl,
and me, oh God, I'm a-one.