Who wrote "The House of the Rising Sun?

"The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, and its original author is unknown. The song has been recorded by many artists, but the most famous incarnation was performed by English rock group The Animals in 1964.

"The House of the Rising Sun" is also known as "Rising Sun Blues." Although the melody is a traditional English ballad, the song is an African-American folk song. The song tells of a life gone wrong and is thought to refer to either a New Orleans brothel or Orleans Parish women's prison, which had artwork of a rising sun on its entrance gates.