Rising Sun Blues
View chords used in this chart
Intro: D A D
verse 1
D D7
There is a house down in New Orleans
G D
They call the Rising Sun
D G
And it's been the ruin of a many poor boy
D A D
And me, oh God , for one
verse 2
D D7
Then fill the glasses to the brim
G D
Let the drinks go merrily around
D G
And we'll drink to the health of a rounder poor boy
D A7 D
Who goes from town to town
verse 3
D D7
The only thing that a rounder needs
G D
Is a suitcase and a trunk
D G
And the only time he's satisfied
D A7 D
Is when he's on a drunk
Instrumental
D D7
G D
D G
D7 A7 D
verse 4
D D7
Now boys don't believe what a girl tells you
G D
Though her eyes be blue or brown
D G G7
Unless she's on some scaffold high
D A7 D
Saying "Boys, I can't come down."
Verse 5
D D7
Go tell my youngest brother
G D
Not to do the things I've done
D G
But to shun that house down in New Orleans
D A D
They call the Rising Sun
Instrumental
D D7
G D
D G
D7 A7 D
Verse 6
D D7
I'm going back, back to New Orleans
G D
For my race is nearly run
D G
Gonna spend the rest of my wicked life
D A D
Beneath that Rising Sun
How to play Rising Sun Blues
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.