No-one knows what the House of the Rising Sun, even was. The lyrics belong to this as an American folk song with an unknown origin. The House of the Rising Sun is a WORKHOUSE! That's right! As for which workhouse? Well, that is yet to be determined! It seems to have been a workhouse in New Orleans.
It all makes perfect sense! The lyrics!
There is a house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun,
It’s been the ruin of many poor girl, and me, O God, for one.
If I had listened what mama said, I’d’a’ bee at home today,being so young and foolish, poor boy, let a rambler lead me astray.
Go tell my baby sister never to do like I have done,To shun that house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun.
My mother she’s a tailor, she sold those new blue jeans,My sweetheart, he’s a drunkard, Lord, Lord, drinks down in New Orleans.
The only thing a drunkard needs is a suitcase and a trunk.The only time he’s satisfied is when he’s on a drunk
Fills his glasses to the brim, passes them around.The only pleasure he gets out of life is hoboin’ from town to town.
One foot is on the platform and the other on on the train,I’m going back to New Orleans to wear that ball and chain.
Going back to New Orleans, my race is almost run,Going back to spend the rest of my life beneath that Rising Sun
Workhouse Rhyme:
Hush-a-bye baby, on the tree top,
When you grow old, your wages will stop,
When you have spent the little you made
First to the Poorhouse and then to the grave
Anonymous verse from Yorkshire.
Workhouses and the Poor Law:
Productive use of ‘unproductive’ people.
Deterrent to Poverty
Deliberately harsh to reduce numbers of applicants.
Cheap labour for corrupt local entrepreneurs using the Poor Law system
Members are allowed to leave, unless it is a prison workhouse.
Place for infirm, crazy, lazy, not lazy, poor, downtrodden.
Workhouse institutionalises poverty, fails to help in the long run.
Probably not a bordello or bar!
