House of the Rising Sun
trad
One of the songs aspiring folk guitarists used for learning some slow finger-picking and chord-change runs, trying to mimic the keyboard on the popular version from Eric Burdon and The Animals.
There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one
My mother was a tailor
She sewed my new blue jeans
My father was a gamblin' man
Down in New Orleans
Now the only thing a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and trunk
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk
Oh mother tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun
Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other on the train
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain
Yes, I’m going back to New Orleans
My race is almost run
To spend the rest of my life in sin and misery
Beneath that Rising Sun
Changing Diapers
In late 1958, my mother got a part-time job at Robert Hall, a men’s wear store. She worked a couple of evenings a week and maybe a couple of day shifts, leaving Dad to look after the kids.
And me to change the diapers.
Melanie was about 6 months old. I was seven. That seems pretty young to be changing diapers, but I know it was Melanie, not Kate, because it was the year we had the first fire in the house. I don’t know why Dad didn’t do it. I don’t think he ever changed any of our diapers.
Dad was usually very considerate of Mum, and sometimes when she was really tired and catching up on some sleep, he would ask me to change Mel’s diaper and try to keep her quiet so Mum could get just a little more sleep.
Dad was usually pretty good about helping around the house, too, but he didn’t cook – and he didn’t change diapers.
Davy, aged about 6 months. He was always a happy little guy.
When I moved into the Newstead House in 1989, Dad came to live with us. I rediscovered motorcycle riding, and would often go on a ride late in the afternoon, leaving Dad or Jay in charge of the kids.
One day, I came home and noticed that Davy was walking a bit funny. It must have been warm weather because all he had on was a paper nappy. On closer examination, I noticed it was on back to front.
My father had, at last, changed a diaper!
