Campfire songs hold a special place in music tradition, embodying tunes that are both familiar and easily singable, often accompanied by simple guitar chords. These songs transcend location, equally at home indoors or under the stars. For singer-songwriters and guitar enthusiasts alike, delving into these songs and their histories offers a rewarding musical journey.
“House of the Rising Sun” stands out as a compelling example, a cautionary narrative originating from New Orleans. While the rock rendition by the Animals in 1964 propelled it to mainstream fame, its roots run deep in folk music, tracing back to the early 20th century and even older European folk traditions. The melody itself solidified relatively early, but the accompanying chords have evolved through numerous interpretations over time. Early recordings, such as Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster’s 1933 “Rising Sun Blues” and Woody Guthrie’s 1941 version, leaned towards Appalachian folk and blues styles. Notable renditions also include Josh White’s introspective solo performance and Ronnie Gilbert’s jazzy arrangement with the Weavers.
For those looking for easy guitar tabs, “House of the Rising Sun” is an excellent choice. This arrangement prioritizes simplicity, utilizing open and first position chords: Am, C with a G bass, D with an F# bass, and F (full barre), creating a descending bass line (A, G, F#, F). The remaining chords are basic open C and E shapes. This simplified chord progression makes it incredibly accessible for beginners seeking easy guitar tabs to learn a classic song.
The song’s time signature is in 6/8, characterized by six eighth notes per measure, counted as “One, two, three, four, five, six.” If 6/8 time is new to you, listening and playing along with a recording will quickly familiarize you with its feel. A flatpick can be used to play the song, incorporating both strums and single notes, as demonstrated in the initial measures of many transcriptions. Alternatively, you can maintain simplicity by strumming throughout or employing a basic fingerpicking pattern – choose the style that suits your comfort level and enhances your enjoyment of these easy guitar tabs. Learning “House of the Rising Sun” with these easy guitar tabs is a fantastic way to expand your campfire song repertoire and guitar skills.
