“House of the Rising Sun” is one of the most iconic songs in the folk-rock repertoire, immortalized by The Animals’ 1964 recording. It’s also a perfect opening track for our A minor collection — the song is firmly rooted in A minor and showcases the haunting, dramatic feel that minor keys can deliver.
The song uses six chords total: Am, C, D, F, E, and one Dm at the very end. Five of them are basic open chords; F is the one barre chord challenge. There’s also an optional E7 flourish (echoing the organ on the original recording) and an iconic fingerpicked arpeggio that works for the entire song — both covered below. Let’s dive in!
The Chords You’ll Need
Main CHords
Optional touches
Chord Chart
Intro Am C D F Am E Am E Fingerpicked Pattern (optional) Am C e|--------------0------------------------0-----------| B|----------1-------1----------------1-------1-------| G|--------2-------------0----------0-------------0---| D|------2------------------------2-------------------| A|--0------------------------3-----------------------| E|---------------------------------------------------| D F e|----------2---2--------------------1---1-----------| B|--------3---------3--------------1---------1-------| G|------2---------------0--------2---------------0---| D|--0------------------------3-----------------------| A|---------------------------------------------------| E|---------------------------------------------------| Am E e|--------------0------------------------0-----------| B|----------1-------1------------------------0-------| G|--------2-------------0------------1-----------0---| D|------2--------------------------2-----------------| A|--0----------------------------2-------------------| E|---------------------------0-----------------------| Am E7 e|--------------0------------------------0-----------| B|----------1-------1------------------------0-------| G|--------2-------------0------------1-----------0---| D|------2--------------------------0-----------------| A|--0----------------------------2-------------------| E|---------------------------0-----------------------| Verse 1 Am C D F There is a house in New Orleans Am C E E They call the Risin' Sun Am C D F And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy. Am E Am And God, I know I'm one. Instrumental C D F Am E Am E Verse 2 Am C D F My mother was a tailor. Am C E E She sewed my new blue jeans. Am C D F My father was a gamblin' man Am E Am Down in New Or-leans. Instrumental C D F Am E Am E Verse 3 Am C D F Now, the only thing a gambler needs Am C E E Is a suitcase and a trunk Am C D F And the only time that he's satisfied Am E Am Is when he's on a drunk Instrumental C D F Am E Am E Organ Solo Am C D F Am C E E Am C D F Am E Am C D F Am E Am E Verse 4 Am C D F Oh, Mother, tell your children Am C E E Not to do what I have done. Am C D F Spend your lives in sin and misery Am E Am In the house of the risin' sun. Instrumental C D F Am E Am E Verse 5 Am C D F Well, I've got one foot on the platform, Am C E E the other foot on the train. Am C D F I'm goin' back to New Orleans Am E Am To wear that ball and chain. Instrumental C D F Am E Am E Verse 6 Am C D F Well, there is a house in New Orleans Am C E E They call the Risin' Sun Am C D F And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy. Am E Am And God, I know I'm one. Outro C D F Am E Am Dm Am Dm Am Dm
About E7 (an organ-inspired flourish)
On The Animals’ recording, the organ typically plays E7 rather than plain E at the
end of each verse and instrumental section. You can do the same on guitar: E7 is
just E major with finger 3 lifted off the D string, letting it ring open. Optional,
but it captures the song’s signature mournful vibe. You can also play E7 by playing a full E major chord and adding the D on string 2 fret 3 with pinky (see image above).
About the iconic picking pattern
The Animals’ recording features a distinctive arpeggiated picking pattern in 6/8
time — it’s one of the most recognizable guitar parts in rock. The basic pattern
is included in the chord chart above; it’s a relatively simple arpeggio that works
well for early fingerstyle learners. The same pattern works for the entire song,
just adapted to each chord shape. Completely optional though — strumming the chords
sounds great too.
Practice Tips
- Master the verse progression: Am → C → D → F → Am → C → E. That’s the entire song. Once it’s smooth, every verse plays itself.
- The D → F transition appears repeatedly throughout the song. F is the only barre chord here and the main technical challenge. Drill the D → F change on its own at slow tempo until it feels comfortable.
- The arpeggiated picking pattern is iconic but optional. Strum the chords if picking feels overwhelming; the song still works.
- The emotional power of this song comes from its slow, deliberate pace. Resist the urge to rush — let each chord ring before changing. The song earns its drama by taking its time.