The House Of The Rising Sun Lyrics Meaning

For me, this song is all about sex addiction.
In the first verse the singer describes the "house" known as a brothel - being the ruin of many a poor boy, himself being one.

The second and third verses are of the singer describing his home life and the exploits of his father being a gambling man, whilst his mother tried to make good the family home.

The fourth verse refers to a warning to all others out there not to follow this path and to live a life of misery.

Verse five is the most prominent in all the song. It describes the singer as being torn, hence having one foot on the platform whilst the other is on the train - he knows he is helpless against this addiction and yet is trying not to go back there, but he knows he will end up doing that and "wearing the ball and chain" which is the weight of the addiction.

The final verse is simply a repeat of the first verse and is important as it basically refers to the fact that his life is going round in constants loops - run entirely by the helpless sexual addiction.

It is a great song, and one which is very close to my heart.