Mule
Gov´t Mule Lyrics
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But you just can't help your self
want to feel special
Man want to make you feel like everybody else
Take away your freedom
Strip away your pride
Say you know you weren't born
With the blue blood son
Where's my mule?
Where's my forty acres
Where's my dream
Mr Emancipator
Live this way
Might as well meet my maker
Where's my mule?
Where's my mule?
I say trust me
But you say it's too much bother
Yeah, the way the man try to beat you down
Make you want to kill your brother
So go on and bust me
For what's in my mason jar
Yeah, I owes my soul
To the company store
How I'm doing so far?
Where's my mule?
Where's my forty acres
Where's my dream
Mr Emancipator
Live this way
Might as well meet my maker
Where's my mule?
Where's my mule?
Where's my mule?
Where's my forty acres
Where's my dream
Mr Emancipator
Live this way
Might as well meet my maker
Where's my, my, my, my, my, my mule?
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's song "Mule" depict the frustration and disillusionment of those who feel oppressed and undervalued by society. The opening lines suggest that despite one's efforts to stand out and be recognized as special, society's expectations and limitations can make that nearly impossible. The reference to taking away one's freedom and stripping away pride suggests an oppressive force at work, diminishing the value and self-worth of individuals who are not born with privilege.
The chorus of "Where's my mule?" represents an unfulfilled expectation or dream, referencing the 40 acres and a mule promised to freed slaves after the Civil War. The dream of freedom and justice has been deferred or lost, and the singer is left feeling defeated and hopeless. It suggests that the Emancipation Proclamation did not drastically change the reality of life for Black Americans, and hopelessness is setting in. The final lines, "Might as well meet my maker, Where's my, my, my, my, my, my mule?", indicate that the singer is ready to face the inevitable end of life, as they feel they haven't received any of the promised freedoms and opportunity.
Overall, the lyrics of "Mule" speak to the continued struggle for equality and justice in society, particularly for those who face systemic oppression and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
Say you try
You attempt to rise above your predicament
But you just can't help your self
But your lack of autonomy prevents you from succeeding
want to feel special
You long to feel unique
Man want to make you feel like everybody else
However, society forces you to conform
Take away your freedom
Your personal liberties are restricted
Strip away your pride
Your self-respect is eroded
Say you know you weren't born
You accept that you lack pedigree
With the blue blood son
Like the elite classes
So take your place in line
Succumb to your place in the social hierarchy
Where's my mule?
Where is my reward for my labor?
Where's my forty acres
Where is my land and legacy?
Where's my dream
Where is my aspiration and potential?
Mr Emancipator
The supposed liberator of former slaves
Live this way
Enduring in these conditions
Might as well meet my maker
It would be preferable to meet my creator
I say trust me
I implore you to have faith in me
But you say it's too much bother
Yet, you cannot be bothered to believe in me
Yeah, the way the man try to beat you down
The systemic oppression is insurmountable
Make you want to kill your brother
It incites anger and violence towards one's own community
So go on and bust me
You may arrest me
For what's in my mason jar
But for what purpose?
Yeah, I owes my soul
I am indebted to others
To the company store
To the exploitative capitalist system
How I'm doing so far?
Am I succeeding despite the forces against me?
Where's my, my, my, my, my, my mule?
Where is the justice and equity that should come with hard work and sacrifice?
Lyrics Š BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ALLEN WOODY, MATTHEW ABTS, WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
Say you try
But you just can't help your self
want to feel special
Man want to make you feel like everybody else
Take away your freedom
Strip away your pride
Say you know you weren't born
With the blue blood son
So take your place in line
Where's my mule?
Where's my forty acres
Where's my dream
Mr Emancipator
Live this way
Might as well meet my maker
Where's my mule?
Where's my mule?
I say trust me
But you say it's too much bother
Yeah, the way the man try to beat you down
Make you want to kill your brother
So go on and bust me
For what's in my mason jar
Yeah, I owes my soul
To the company store
How I'm doing so far?
Where's my mule?
Where's my forty acres
Where's my dream
Mr Emancipator
Live this way
Might as well meet my maker
Where's my mule?
Where's my mule?
Where's my mule?
Where's my forty acres
Where's my dream
Mr Emancipator
Live this way
Might as well meet my maker
Where's my, my, my, my, my, my mule?
@jsharai
Warren is one of the best and most accomplished guitar players of our time. He's also one of the nicest guys in the world. A "few" years ago, I was FOH engineer for David Allan Coe, when Warren was playing lead with him. Spent a lot of time with him, working and goofing off. The best memory I have is when we were sitting on the crew bus kidding around about what we really wanted to do. I said something dumb about drinking beer and chasing girls and he surprised me by saying he was going to play with the Allman Brothers. He was dead serious. I thought that if anyone could, it would be Warren. "And the rest is history!" Great guy. Great musician. I'd love to tell him thanks for the cool memories.
@conniemcafee4311
Jes, go to any of his concerts once things open up and go stand by his bus after the gig, he always stops and visits with his friends and fans. Or pay for a meet and greet and surprise him.
@COMMANDERREVZ
Jes, what an incredible privilege it is for you to have the memories of hangin' with one of the best EVER; and I'm an old fart 70's loser.
@shanedavis9718
Iâm sorry for the language here but.. all I really know to truly say to this is FUCK YES⌠great story bro.. warren is truly the man!
@georgegardner6683
Thanks for sharing those were great times to lose yourself in , best era and area to live in (Sarasota) Barry Oakley's mom taught my younger brother . It was laid back, pristine in the 70's ... sadly now overpopulated and overdeveloped
@chazmcdonald8495
If you play bass, LISTEN TO THIS REPEATEDLY. George is so deep in the groove the floor will open up!
@assface8565
I like to say that GPJ's bass playing " Bubbles along" ...Great groove !
@donnabowen9983
Totally agree
@maxpuppy96
It is great playing.
@jeffking887
Even if you donât play bassâŚ.