House of the Rising Sun
For millennia desperate women have turned to the oldest profession to survive. we will explore this "forbidden" world, looking at how societies throughout history have handled the inescapable persistence of sex work. The many songs about this sensitive topic are equally varied -- bold, regretful, rowdy, sad, and often filled with defiant humor.
We visit ancient Rome, Renaissance Venice, Japan, Medieval Europe, and the United States, especially New Orleans, the setting for our title song. House of the Rising Sun was a most unlikely hit for a rock band in the 1960s. Other songs include:
Weep Not, Mary, one of hundreds of anthems about Mary Magdalene. She was wrongly labeled a prostitute for centuries, but is now a saint. This one dates from 1236.
Begone, Sweet Night, a song from the Renaissance, ideal for whiling away an evening in Venice in a house of "honest courtesans."
Johnny Come Down to Hilo, a sea chantey praising the friendly gals of Hawaii.
Careless Love, a blues standard about the consequences of dalliance.Hinky, Dinky, Parlez-Vous? -- the classic from the First World War about mademoiselles eager to help a soldier relax.
New York Girls, the classic story of a sailor who quite literally loses his shirt.
Fancy, a song by Bobby Gentry about a young woman who makes no apologies for her choices.
For more information, please contact us.
"Thank you so much for one of the best programs we have ever had. Your narration about the songs was priceless, and your lovely voice a treat."
-- Joyce Hawkins, Sheffield Historical Society
