Meaning of "House Of The Rising Sun" by Shawn Mullins

The House of the Rising Sun is a classic folk song that tells the story of a young woman who falls victim to the vices of New Orleans. The lyrics paint a picture of her downfall, influenced by her mother's profession as a tailor and her sweetheart's gambling habits. The house symbolizes a place of temptation and ruin, where many have been led astray. The narrator warns her baby sister not to follow in her footsteps, reflecting on her own mistakes and the consequences she now faces. The repeating refrain of "going back to New Orleans" represents a cycle of returning to the source of her downfall. Ultimately, the song explores themes of regret, sin, and the inevitability of one's fate.