The House of the Rising Sun is a song about a whorehouse in New Orleans, and the song is rightfully sung by a woman. When Dylan recorded it on his debut album, he sang "it's been the ruin of many a poor GIRL" (rather than boy). The Animals made the song famous in the early 60s, and changed the gender of the narrator.
With that history in mind, I think the juxtaposition of John Newton's words with this tune tells an interesting new story.
I know I'm not the only person to record this version. As you peruse the other variants to the right, I recommend the Blind Boys of Alabama.
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