House of the Rising Sun - Woody Guthrie version

[shetania]

Wow. I knew that verse about the baby sister was in there somewhere! I've been singing a mash-up version of this since I was a munchkin rocking my younger sibs to sleep (and I'm in my early forties now.) We had lots of folkie-types passing through our household, and this was a popular song. I've always loved it, and, message notwithstanding, it makes a great lullaby. I recently sang it for a musician friend of mine and he wondered where that one verse came from. Now we know! Thanks!

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@shetania Your very welcome Amy!

[rebob59]

good job GeraldBoyClassical. i've watched 8 versions of this song tonight Leadbelly , Animals ,Bon Jovi ,Frigjid pink ,Cool'O'Keefe' Sinead O'Connor' Dolly Parton'GeraldBoyClassical

[mikerickson01]

@rebob59 This version is very close to the way that Ronnie Gilbert sang it. It would be interesting to see if there is a pattern to which versions have a drunken sweetheart and which have a gambling husband.

[MrWildman47]

never hear that version loved the pinkie action me see new way to play it. rock on youtube.Mrwildman47 also on.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@MrWildman47 Glad you found it helpful.

[Countrychiddler]

Not bad. But Woodie Guthrie? Learn how to keep a tune first. my good man!

[dudefulness]

A couple points I'd like to make.

1. This came a good decade or so after The Animals' rendition.

2. This song has absolutely no connection to England or the 17th century. Some say it may have been a rendition of an 18th century folk song brought by settlers from the east.

3. The oldest known existing recording is by Appalachian artists Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster and was made in 1933. Leadbelly popularized the song amongst bluegrass fans and recorded his version in the early 1940's.

[dudefulness]

Eric burden was a huge fan of leadbelly.. most rock musicians were at that time.

Just want to make sure you don't continue to spread false information about the origins of one of the greatest songs ever written.

Cheers.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@dudefulness Thanks for the info!

[greatestxgift]

@dudefulness I hope you're not referring to Woody Guthrie's version coming a decade after The Animal's rendition as he was dead a decade after The Animals recorded it and he recorded his version in 1941.

[biertje373]

great

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@biertje373 Thanks!

[betsy111201]

is this the same version odetta sings??

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@betsy111201 I don't know.

[mattistvan]

Wow!!! Powerfull!!

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@mattistvan Thankyou!

[skunkhead2006]

like it

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@skunkhead2006 Thanks!

[guitarslim56]

Why does the singer refer to himself as a girl?

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@guitarslim56 Because the song is about a woman, not a man. Eric Burdon of the Animals changed the lyrics to a man for the song to be marketable and hip.

Cheers

Gerald

[chrisb1953]

There is (was) a "House Of The Rising Sun" guesthouse just across the river from New Orleans at Algiers. Not sure if it was lost to Hurricane Katrina.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@chrisb1953 Thanks for the info.

[pastore0506]

Good rendition of this song. However, Woody Guthrie didn't write the lyrics. According to folklorist Alan Lomax in his book Our Singing Country (1941), these were written by Georgia Turner and Bert Martin (both from Kentucky). The song was first recorded in the 1920s by black bluesman Texas Alexander and later covered by Leadbelly, Charlie Byrd, Roy Acuff, Woody Guthrie and many others.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thankyou very much for the information!

[landstrum77]

very good!

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thankyou!

[qewr4231]

Where exactly in New Orleans was the original house of the rising sun?

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Not sure - just down the road from the Heartbreak Hotel? lol

[Soulshroude]

@qewr4231 The original house of the rising sun was where the Villa Convento stands now. Located at Urseline st. inside the French Quarter.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

@Soulshroude Thankyou!

[Soulshroude]

@GeraldBoyClassical Not a problem.

[AcePilot101]

The song is about a whorehouse, so it makes sense that the lyrics would be about a woman. Bob Dylan got that.

[BboyUnusuall]

@AcePilot101 i think that's one example of a theori

[dzurawell19]

If you're going to use the woody guthrie lyrics why use the animals guitar line?

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Why not? The music is great but the Animals lyrics are a little bit confusing and besides, Eric Burdon was notorious in changing them. Artists have always had a license in creativity.

Cheers,

Gerald

[putci76]

kind of in a sad way....like a whore trying to tell her sad story that it makes u cry !!!!

[putci76]

i feel it should be sung in a very lower note...

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Hello...I'm singing it pretty low now. Can you clarify?

[tubemagpie]

Interesting and enjoyable...the comments too!

many years back I heard that the origins of the words went back to an Elizabethan ballad but have never found a source for this.must do some more research.Interesting recording of Leadbelly singing it is how I came across yours.Regarding origins...so many English, Irish and Scottish songs and tunes went across to the Americas it's amazing.C Sharp collected many 1914+..Didn't he ramble? is The Derby Ram .Careless Love from Dorset Engld I understand.

[ppallein]

Sorry, not Woody's version, I have the field tape recorded onto vinyl,(Commodore Records). This Geraldboy version is okay but not authentic. Not the melody, nrt the rhythm., The words are are almost faithful , I have been playing Woody Guthrie's version for 40 years. Many people dislike Woody's way and it is understandable because it is raw folk music.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Your right. The words are Woody's, but the music is Dave Van Ronk's. I don't know if Dave composed it or took it from some old obscure record. Woody's way is American folk for sure. Bob Dylan took the music and the lyric's from Dave and the Animals recorded Bob Dylan's version later.

[aukxsona]

Beautiful

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thankyou

[BobDylanFan99]

This is NOT Woody Guthries version. This is Dave Van Ronks verision.

This is in the standard (minor) partern that DVR formed in the 60s, Dylan Covered and then the Animals made famous.

Before that time HORS was in a MAJOR key - really changes the feel or the song to... Check it out

(Oh and BTW - STill a nice cover!)

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thankyou!

The music is Dave Van Ronk's, and the lyrics are Woody Guthrie's.

Cheers

Gerald

[sayhey24man]

Thanks for posting. I always like to hear different versions of this song. Exposed to the Animals first in the 60's but have now listened to just about every version played. So many arguements about who wrote it. Like many folk songs---it has an oral rather than written history. And as far as what the lyrics mean---well you have to derive your own conclusion.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks for the input!

Cheers

[maxmcguire]

Pretty sure guthrie's version was Major... might be wrong... This sounds alot like Dylan, minus the tone deaf wailing...

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Hello...the lyrics are Guthrie and the music is Dylan.

[pcyhogriff08]

listen the hungarian version that is beautiful to! searc on' Nagy Feró Komorán '

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks pcychogriff08. I did. Very cool!!

[siiyong]

Brilliant! I love almost all the different versions of this song. There are too many, you know. However, it's easy to me to say that my favourite one is yours.

It's a masterpiece! Thank you very much for playing your music. It's poetry.

PS: I'm not a native English-Speaker and it's therefore so possible that I haven't explained myself well enough.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Hello, Siiyong. Thank you so much for your very kind comment. Your English is perfectly understandable, and I appreciate the time you took to put your feelings in words.

Gerald

[Summitsuper]

Are these lyrics from the 17th century? Or are they Woody's? Sorry, just a bit confused.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Hello Michael

They are not Woody's, although he might have added a few words as all travelling minstrels would do. A lot of old musical origins are buried in history as a lot of it was passed down orally.

Gerald

[hahahohohi9845]

NiZe SoNg ^_^

[GeraldBoyClassical]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.

[Playing0The0Angel]

The roots of this song are british?

New Orleans is in EUA

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Hello Sebastian. It could be, but at this point unknown.

[talibanprincess]

i loved it Gerald...and i disagree with Johnny....i like it soft and understated....my father for instance always preferred the natural version of songs like dolly partons i will always love you to whitney hueston.... her voice is too trained.... subtle is good....well done

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thankyou Kate. Glad you enjoyed it.

[milliondustopeners]

great version! what is the chord progression? would love to learn it.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Just Google it and you'll find the Animals version I'm sure, with the chord progression.

Cheers

Gerald

[JohnnyGeologist]

Nice version

Personally I thought your voice leaves a little to be desired, but then I'm used to hearing superstars sing this song, so that may not be fair. I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know when I say you don't sing as well as Eric Burdon

anyway, no one has mentioned Joan Baez yet, so I figured I would. She does a great version of this song. There's a couple vids of her singing this song floating around Youtube. I recommend them if you haven't heard her before.

[JohnnyGeologist]

also The Beatles have a version that's interesting. It's just a jam session really, but still fun to listen to.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks for the info John. I used to belt it out back in the sixties; I guess I'm slowing down.

Cheers

Gerald

[angtheodd]

Your right. The origin is unknown but the earliest recording of this song was done in 1933 by Clarence "Tom" Ashley and Gwen Foster, but even Clarence Ashley admitted that he learned the song from his grandfather. Just in case you were wondering :)

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks Van. This is great!!

[FugginNorb]

Dave Van Ronk's arrangement of this song was taken by Bob Dylan, and his arrangement was essentially what the Animals based it off of.

After Dylan began singing the number, Van Ronk was being accused of stealing his own arrangement from Dylan! I suppose it served him right that people started accusing Dylan of taking the Animal's song.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks for info!!!

Gerald

[Szebor]

Not quite the woody guthrie version in my opinion. I think maybe the animals' version influenced you guitar playing in this peice, even if the lyrics are different. Woody Guthrie's version doesn't even resemble the song that we are familiar with today. Maybe we have the animals to thank for that. I mean that in a good way.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Hello Szebor. Very true.The lyrics I got from the Woody Guthrie Site. Actually the music has English origins and probably not related to the song. Woody sang it in the American Folk style. Check out Wikipedia, good info there. Don't know where the Animals got the music.Cheers.

[dzurawell19]

lol have you even heard the woody guthrie recording? because this wasnt even close

[GeraldBoyClassical]

The lyrics are from Woody, and the music is from the Animals.

Cheers,

Gerald

[la1880]

watched it again and again and still loving it every time!!

Luvs

Natasha

xxxxxxxxxx

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks Natasha. Greatly appreciated.

Love,

Gerald

[deboeahshasha]

wow this is fantastic i loved it it is just brill 5 big stars love to yaa wee deborahxoxo ireland

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Well, thanks deb, that's just great. And top 'o the mornin' to you!

[la1880]

watched it again and still loving it

You are the BEST and don't forget that

Booth family

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thank you Booth family! I think this song changed popular music back in the early sixties. The Animals were really underrated. The best English band!

Gerald

[Snappy1943]

I saw a documentary- Sorry I can't remember where or what the title is but they went to New Orleans and showed a facade of a building which had a carving of a rising sum above the door. Yes this was the House of The Rising Sun. And it is a common misconception that it was wa hous of ill repute (whorehouse) It is (was) a woman's prison.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Hello Snappy,

Great to know more history on this song.

Best regards,

Gerald

[Snappy1943]

My pleasure Gerald and now that I've put my two cents in about the history, Great job on the music!

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thankyou

[hoffmann9471]

Ganz WUNDERBAR !! Sehr schoen !! Double 5*

Peter

P.S.: Ja, the great Woody Guthrie.....

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Danke schoen!

[0000elizondo0000]

nice

[GeraldBoyClassical]

thank you

[gonnamakit]

Nice hearing this on classical guitar. Like the way you play it.

[gonnamakit]

The version on Bob Dylan's debut album is similar but not identical. The change of sex of the person telling the story in the Animal's version completely loses the point of the song .

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I agree; the Animals version sounded good but just didn't make any sense.

[JohnnyGeologist]

yeah. For a long time The Animals version is the only one I knew and the song didn't make too much sense. I thought it was about a drug den or something. Still a great song though. Maybe my favorite

[Nich0lass]

Perfection!

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Wow! Thank you !

[professortiki]

Sorry, but this is NOT AT ALL the version of Woody Guthry!

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Maybe the music isn't Woody's, but the lyrics come directly from the Woody Guthry / Almanac Singers site.

[five4fun]

Thanks enjoyed learning the history of the song, Enjoyed your version, keep up the good work.

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thank you. : ) It's funny how you can know a song for years, then suddenly find out there's a completely different version out there.

[4UandUTV]

Just wonderful and great as always

All our love

4U&U

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks so much, and thanks for commenting!

[dabiribd]

It's a joy to listen to your music

Thank you

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks, Ben. And back at ya!! : )

Gerald

[goody2shoes200394]

amazing i loved it hugs rachael

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks, Rachel. Hugs back. : )

Gerald

[werebringingsexyback]

i'm working on finding all the different verses of house of the rising sun. so if you know of some other recordings that differ a lot from this one and the animals', could you let me know?

[GeraldBoyClassical]

This is the only other version I know. I found it by searching on Google.

[werebringingsexyback]

thanks anyways!

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thank you, Rica. It's not often that I sing, but this one is a favourite.

[LonelyLondonLad]

Great job on a great version. 5/5

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks! It throws the audience off a bit when they suddenly realize I'm not singing words that they're familiar with, but I prefer this version.

[ickycan]

Well done! Well done!

[GeraldBoyClassical]

Thanks, Ian. Back in my teens and twenties when I played guitar in a rock band, this was a popular song. Still is !