Important Information
Original Key- A minor
Capo- No
Temp- 234 bpm
Tuning- EADGBE
Difficulty- Beginners
Intro
Am C D F
Am E Am E
Verse 1
Am C D F
There is a house in New Orleans
Am C E
They call the “Rising Sun”
Am C D F
And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy
Am E Am
And God, I know, I’m one
Instrumental
C D F
Am E Am E (organ plays E7)
Verse 2
Am C D F
My mother was a tailor (organ: F7)
Am C E
She sewed my new blue jeans (organ: E7)
Am C D F
My father was a gambling man
Am E Am
Down in New Orleans. (organ plays E7)
Instrumental
C D F
Am E Am E (organ plays E7)
Verse 3
Am C D F
Now the only thing a gambler needs (organ: F7)
Am C E
Is a suitcase and a trunk (organ: E7)
Am C D F
And the only time, he’s satisfied,
Am E Am
Is when he’s on a drunk (organ plays E7)
Instrumental
C D F
Am E Am E (organ plays E7)
Solo
Am C D F
Am C E E
Am C D F
Am E
Am C/E D F
Am E Am E
Verse 4
Am C D F
O, mother, tell your children (organ: F7)
Am C E
Not to do what I have done (organ: E7)
Am C D F
Spend your lives in sin and misery
Am E Am
In the House of Rising Sun
Instrumental
C D F
Am E Am E (organ plays E7)
Verse 5
Am C D F
Well, I got one foot on the platform (organ plays F7)
Am C E
The other foot on the train (organ: E7)
Am C D F
I’m going back to New Orleans (organ: F7)
Am E Am
To wear that ball and chain
Instrumental
C D F
Am E Am E (organ plays E7#9)
Verse 6
Am C D F
Well, there is a house in New Orleans (organ: F7)
Am C E
They call the “Rising Sun” (organ: E7)
Am C D F
And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy
Am E7 Am
And God, I know, I’m one
Instrumental
C D F
Am E
Am Dm Am Dm Am Dm
House of The Rising Sun chords in Depth Detail
Now we are going to learn the house of the rising sun chords in more detailed verson. So lets get start it! This is a motivational song published by The Animals, a world-famous rock band. This song is in A Major key sing on the tempo of 234 BPM in the 6/8 timing, which means we count 6 beats instead 4.
The song is based on nine chords. Four are Am, C, F, and Dm, which are diatonic chords. D and E are borrowed chords from the Major parallel key. E7 and F7 both are dominant chords, and the last C/E is known as the slashed chord used one time in the whole song in the instrumental part; you can also play C in place of it.
First, Let me tell you that in this song they use only a two-chord progression, one used in all verses and the second in all instrumental parts. So let’s analyze them. What chords do they use in what sequence?
Intro: The song begins with an introductory section consisting of two four-chord progressions: Am-C-D-F, followed by Am-E-Am-E. This sets the tone and introduces the basic chord structure that will be used throughout the song.
Verse 1: The first verse begins with the same Am-C-D-F chord progression heard in the intro, followed by the Am-C-E progression for the second half of the first line. The third and fourth lines use the Am-C-D-F progression again, followed by Am-E-Am for the last line. The verse tells the story of the house in New Orleans and its ruinous effect on many young men.
Instrumental 1: The first instrumental section uses the same chord progression as the intro, with a slight variation: after the Am-E-Am-E progression, an E7 chord is added on the organ.
Verse 2: The second verse begins with the Am-C-D-F chord progression again, followed by Am-C-E for the second half of the first line. The third and fourth lines use the same Am-C-D-F progression as the first verse, followed by Am-E-Am for the last line. The verse introduces the narrator’s parents, and suggests that his father’s gambling may have contributed to the family’s troubles.
Instrumental 2: The second instrumental section uses the same chord progression as the first instrumental section, with the addition of an F7 chord on the organ during the first and third progressions.
Verse 3: The third verse begins with the Am-C-D-F chord progression again, followed by Am-C-E for the second half of the first line. The third and fourth lines use the same Am-C-D-F progression as the previous verses, followed by Am-E-Am for the last line. The verse describes the gambler’s addiction to alcohol and his need for a suitcase and a trunk.
Before moving on to the next part of this song, let me tell you that there is one more song that uses the same verse as this one. If you want to learn this song, consider checking out our comprehensive guide on ‘The Scientist Chords.’ Now, let’s move to the instrumental part.
Instrumental 3: The third instrumental section uses the same chord progression as the previous instrumental sections, with the addition of an E7#9 chord on the organ during the last progression.
Solo: The solo section consists of several four-chord progressions, including Am-C-D-F, Am-C-E-E, Am-C-D-F, Am-E, Am-C/E-D-F, and Am-E-Am-E.
Verse 4: The fourth verse begins with the Am-C-D-F chord progression again, followed by Am-C-E for the second half of the first line. The third and fourth lines use the same Am-C-D-F progression as the previous verses, followed by Am-E-Am for the last line. The verse advises the listener not to follow in the narrator’s footsteps.
Instrumental 4: The fourth instrumental section uses the same chord progression as the previous instrumental sections, with the addition of an F7 chord on the organ during the first and third progressions.
Verse 5: The fifth verse begins with the Am-C-D-F chord progression again, followed by Am-C-E for the second half of the first line. The third and fourth lines use the same Am-C-D-F progression as the previous verses, followed by Am-E-Am for the last line. The verse describes the narrator’s departure from New Orleans.
Instrumental 5: The fifth instrumental section uses the same chord progression as the previous instrumental sections, with the addition of an E7#9 chord on the organ during the last progression.
Verse 6: The final verse is a repeat of the first verse, using the same chord progressions and lyrics. This brings the song full circle, ending with the same theme with which it began.
Overall, House of the Rising Sun Chords are fantastic.
