When the Allman Brothers Band reformed in 1989 in response to the popularity of the Dreams box set, Warren Haynes was added on lead guitar and Allen Woody on bass. The two shared a love for '60s power trios, like Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, and James Gang. With no bands making similar music in the 90s (except ZZ Top), Haynes, Woody, and former Dickey Betts drummer Matt Abts came together as Gov't Mule during Allman Brothers' breaks. (It is likely that Haynes and Abts first met during the recording of the Dickey Betts Band CD "Pattern Disruptive" in 1988.) They released their debut album the selftitled Gov't Mule in 1995. It was followed by Live from Roseland Ballroom.
When it became apparent that the Allman Brothers weren't planning on recording any new material, Haynes and Woody left to concentrate full-time on Gov't Mule in 1997. Dose, the studio follow up to their first studio effort, was released in early 1998. They were joined by members of the Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, and Parliament/Funkadelic for their 1998 New Year's Eve concert. This was released in both a two and four CD version as Live ... With A Little Help From Our Friends. The band exposed some of their roots with covers of Neil Young, Free, Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Mongo Santamaria (via John Coltrane) and Frank Zappa.
In 2000, the band released Life Before Insanity to critical praise. Many thought that this would be Gov't Mule's breakthrough CD. However, Woody was found dead in New York City in August. Haynes and Abts considered breaking up the band but did stage a concert called "One for Woody" to raise money for his daughter's education. The Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, members of the Grateful Dead, and other friends of Woody also performed at the concert.
At both the "One for Woody" performance and other shows, Haynes began appearing with the Allman Brothers Band again. With Dickey Betts' departure from the Allmans, Warren came back full time to the band at the beginning of 2001 and has continued splitting his time between the Allmans and for a period Phil Lesh and Friends and the reformed Dead as well as Gov't Mule (performing acoustic gigs with just Haynes on guitar and Abts on percussion and as The New School of Gov't Mule with Widespread Panic's Dave Schools on bass and Chuck Leavell, formerly of the Allman Brothers and known for his current work with the Rolling Stones on keyboards).
The next year, Haynes and Abts began to record a tribute CD using Woody's favorite bass players. These sessions resulted in two CDs The Deep End, Volume 1 (2001) and The Deep End, Volume 2 (2002). A documentary of the recording sessions was also made by Phish bassist Mike Gordon called Rising Low. Bass contributions to the CDs came from Jack Bruce of Cream, John Entwisle of The Who, Mike Watt of Minutemen, Les Claypool of Primus, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Chris Squire of Yes among others.
When it came to touring in support of the Deep End CDs, Haynes and Abts used a revolving door of keyboardists and bassists. Keyboardists included Chuck Leavell, Rob Barraco of Phil Lesh and Friends and Zen Tricksters, Phish's Page McConnell and Danny Louis. Bassists included among others, Dave Schools, Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten of the Flecktones, George Porter Jr. of The Meters, Greg Rzab formerly of The Black Crowes and the Buddy Guy Band and Andy Hess, also formerly of The Black Crowes. Louis and Hess were eventually added as permanent members of Gov't Mule. They continue to tour extensively and have become staple acts at many music festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Vegoose, and their annual New Orleans Jazzfest night show (where they filmed and recorded the last show of the Deepest End tours, with 17 guest musicians in a 6 hour show) wich was released on CD/DVD as The Deepest End, Live in Concert.
The first CD with Louis and Hess Deja Voodoo was released in September 2004. Additional material from those sessions was released in 2005 as and EP entitled Mo' Voodoo.
The new lineup's second release, titled High and Mighty, was released on August 22, 2006.
A third, Mighty High, was released in 2007 it features reggae and dub versions of classic Mule covers and originals with special guest appearances by Willi Williams, Michael Franti and Toots Hibbert,
A Million Miles From Yesterday
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smart enough to say good-bye to this lonely town
But not smart enough to never look back
Night falls early on these lonely streets-and time rolls by like a midnight train
Innocence in abundance on these lonely streets-but I feel guilty just the same
Now the words that I have written are ringing in my head
A million miles from yesterday and a million more to go
Still I search each day
Trying to find my way home
Dreams die young in a lonely heart-and the past seems to follow close behind
There's an age old remedy for a lonely heart
But there's no peace in this soul of mine
Now the words that I have written are ringing in my head
Oh,and I think I believe them
A million miles from yesterday and a million more to go
Still I search each day
Trying to find my way home
Still trying to find my way home
The opening lyrics of Gov't Mule's "A Million Miles From Yesterday" are filled with despair and a longing for something more. The singer was born on the edge of a lonely town, and from the outset, he had dreams and aspirations that set him apart from the rest of his community. He was searching for something that no one else had, and he knew that he had to leave his town to find it. However, despite his courage and determination, he was not smart enough to never look back. He yearns to leave his past behind and start anew, but it seems that the past is always lurking behind him, preventing him from moving on.
The second verse echoes this sense of hopelessness as the lyrics describe the lonely streets where time seems to roll by like a midnight train. The singer is all too aware of the innocence that still lingers on these streets, but he feels guilty for wanting to leave it all behind. He is trapped in his own feelings of restlessness and despair, unable to find solace in his own life. Yet, the refrain provides a glimmer of hope that he is still searching for something - still trying to find his way home - no matter how many miles he may have left to go.
Overall, "A Million Miles From Yesterday" is a poignant reflection on the human desire to find meaning and purpose in life. It speaks to the universal experiences of feeling lost, alone, and disconnected from the world around us, and the determination to keep searching for something more. Even when we feel like we are a million miles away from where we want to be, we can still hold onto the hope that one day we will find our way back home.
Line by Line Meaning
Born on the edge of a lonely town-searching for something no one had
I was born in a town that lacked excitement, and I spent my life searching for something unique that nobody had experienced before.
Smart enough to say good-bye to this lonely town
I was wise enough to leave the dreary town behind.
But not smart enough to never look back
However, I still have moments where I long for the familiarity of my past.
Night falls early on these lonely streets-and time rolls by like a midnight train
The darkness arrives quickly on these deserted roads, and time moves by as quickly and steadily as a train at midnight.
Innocence in abundance on these lonely streets-but I feel guilty just the same
Though this town is innocent enough, I can't help but feel ashamed for wanting more and outgrowing it.
Now the words that I have written are ringing in my head
I can't get my own words out of my mind.
Oh and I think I believe them
I say I believe what I've written, but it's hard to be certain.
A million miles from yesterday and a million more to go
I'm far from where I started, and still have a long way to go.
Still I search each day
Despite progress, I still feel it necessary to look for more.
Trying to find my way home
I long for a final destination and a permanent sense of belonging.
Dreams die young in a lonely heart-and the past seems to follow close behind
It's difficult to escape the grip of the past in a place that's so isolated and unchanging. Dreams tend to die here, too.
There's an age old remedy for a lonely heart
There's supposedly a way to cure a heart that feels a constant sense of loneliness.
But there's no peace in this soul of mine
Unfortunately, I don't feel any sense of resolution to my restlessness.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bobo21121
No matter who is in the band be it Derrick, or Jorgen Carlson or any of the many that jump in and out of the mule, that deep down soul never disappoints.
@bigbluemsp
Born on the edge of a lonely town-searching for something no one had
Smart enough to say good-bye to this lonely town
But not smart enough to never look back
Night falls early on these lonely streets-and time rolls by like a midnight train
Innocence in abundance on these lonely streets-but I feel guilty just the same
Now the words that I have written are ringing in my head
Oh, and I think I believe them
A million miles from yesterday and a million more to go
Still I search each day
Trying to find my way home
Dreams die young in a lonely heart-and the past seems to follow close behind
There's an age old remedy for a lonely heart
But there's no peace in this soul of mine
Now the words that I have written are ringing in my head
Oh, and I think I believe them
A million miles from yesterday and a million more to go
Still I search each day
Trying to find my way home
Still trying to find my way home
@Purplemoon1111
I am a Ruthie Foster fan---recorded at Willie's studio....wonderful energy
@Jimboslice5545
Only 2643 views? Considering 2642 of them are mine, who else has been watching this?!
@delmont1976
gotta be one of my favs go mule !
@laurieannwelchbranning8832
My 3rdX Back to Back Wide Open🌪 Feel them Words🌌🌕 Still SearchN 💛
@paulpruett2791
my song...
@madjack4691
Noooo! It's mine! 😉
@JPCable
Anyone know who plays the 2nd guitar on this track,or are they both Warren? I have the cd, but I can't find anything about it.
@jsiminski
me :)