House of the Rising Sun

Not the most exciting of days planned for today as I had to take Mum to the local hospital to have her hearing checked.She seemed to be struggling to hear anything on our return from holiday and one of her hearing aids had come adrift.Getting her there in her wheelchair, in icy conditions, was a little stressfiul to say the least(she is basically housebound so not used to being outdoors)
Apppointment card handed in at the main desk, I expected to have a long sit in the waiting room but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing as my stress levels were soaring at this point.Time to take a few deep breaths and try to come down a peg or two.
Sitting opposite was a very elderly old gentleman ,alone , arm in sling, obviously from one of the wards .He looked so tired and gaunt.Next to me mum was staring into space unable to see any of her surroundings.Old age is not pleasant.
Out of the corner of my eye I spied what appeared to be an x-ray viewer placed at ceiling level.Instead of 'dem old dry bones' it showed this picture.I just can't get away from thoughts of my holiday - shades of 'House of the Rising Sun,' immediately sprang to mind, as we had heard that very song sung when in New Orleans.While taking the customary carriage drive, we actually saw the place in question.The words tell the story of a place of ill repute, where well to do gentlemen took their sons when they reached a certain age.

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 foot on the train
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain