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,
About To Rage
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And contradiction buys you time
A battle worth winning is a battle worth losing
Sometimes revolution is kind
We can stop and pray for rain
Or we can march and beat the drum
But the storm's about to rage
He who speaks loudly will surely be heard
But a whisper cannot be ignored
Heaven and hell are one and the same
When desperation's all you can afford
Knowing all along
The truth will overcome
And the storm's about to rage
About to rage
Anger and tears
Will wash away our fears
Some pages in history will surely be burned
Revisions are not always wrong
Time to discover what's really, really, really right
Instead of what makes us feel strong
Blood is on your hands
But it's what the part demands
The storm's about to rage
About to rage
Storm's about to rage
About to rage
Hesitation is a hole in the head
In the first verse of "About to Rage," Gov't Mule describes the consequences of hesitation and contradiction: both are useless and ultimately self-destructive. Hesitation is like a hole in the head, suggesting that it leaves you empty and weak. Contradiction, on the other hand, might appear to give you more time, but it only serves to postpone the inevitable. The second half of the verse introduces the idea that some battles are worth losing, and that revolution can be kind. In other words, change is not always easy, but it is necessary. Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war. Change is the only way out of a difficult situation.
The second verse of the song offers a solution: we can either pray and wait for things to improve, or we can take action and make them improve ourselves. The imagery of rain and drumming suggests that we have a choice between resignation and action. However, the song also acknowledges that change is not easy. There are risks to be taken, and sometimes the consequences are painful. Nonetheless, Gov't Mule suggests that change is always possible if you are willing to fight for it. The final line of the second verse, "the storm's about to rage," suggests that change is imminent and unavoidable.
The bridge of the song voices the idea that sometimes it is the quietest voice that is most powerful. Whispering cannot be ignored because it suggests a confidence that doesn't need to shout. The idea of heaven and hell being the same when you are desperate suggests that when you are fighting for something that is important, the stakes are high, and it does not matter what your beliefs are, only what you are willing to do to fight for what you believe in.
Overall, "About to Rage" is a rebellious anthem that speaks to the power of revolution and the need for change. The song acknowledges that change is difficult, but it is also necessary. By taking action, even in the face of adversity, we can make a difference and create a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
Hesitation is a hole in the head
Being indecisive leaves an empty space in your mind, a void that can make you lose your chance to act when you should.
And contradiction buys you time
When unsure, playing both sides or lying can give you more time to think or to gather information, but it's not necessarily the best strategy to win in the long run.
A battle worth winning is a battle worth losing
It's better to try and to fail than to never try or to give up without fighting for what you believe is worth the effort, even if the outcome is uncertain or costly.
Sometimes revolution is kind
Change can happen peacefully, and from this renewal can emerge kinder, more just societies, but it takes determination, vision, and the willingness to push against the status quo.
We can stop and pray for rain
We can sit and wait for things to improve, as if hoping for rain to fall and fix our problems, but this passive approach rarely works without active intervention and engagement.
Or we can march and beat the drum
We can choose to act and mobilize, to protest or to campaign for a cause, to raise our voices in support of change, and to make our presence and positions felt.
But the storm's about to rage
Change is coming, and it will shake things up, provoke resistance, and demand sacrifices, but it's necessary, inevitable, and unstoppable.
He who speaks loudly will surely be heard
Being vocal, assertive, or passionate can draw attention, generate momentum, and influence others to join or support a cause, but it can also create backlash, division, or noise that distracts or irritates some people.
But a whisper cannot be ignored
Sometimes, subtle, quiet messages or actions can have more impact, appeal, or credibility than loud or obvious ones, especially when they are backed by facts, values, or empathy.
Heaven and hell are one and the same
Our perceptions of good and evil, right and wrong, can vary widely, and what feels like heaven for some can be hell for others, but in the end, we all share the same planet and fate, and we depend on each other for survival and meaning.
When desperation's all you can afford
When we face overwhelming challenges or adversity, sometimes we have no choice but to take risks, to act outside our comfort zones, or to resort to extreme measures, such as stealing or begging, to get by.
Knowing all along
Deep down, we often sense or know what is right, true, or good, even if we have doubts or fears, and even if we ignore or deny it.
The truth will overcome
Despite lies, propaganda, or deception, the truth will eventually prevail, because it reflects reality, respects evidence, and serves the common good.
Anger and tears
When we feel overwhelmed, outraged, or sad, we may express our emotions through anger and tears, which can release tension, signal our distress, and connect us with others who share our feelings.
Will wash away our fears
By facing our fears, acknowledging our vulnerabilities, and expressing our feelings, we can regain our composure, our confidence, and our resilience to cope with adversity.
Some pages in history will surely be burned
Sometimes, to move forward, we need to let go of old stories, myths, or traditions that no longer serve our present or future goals, even if it means erasing or reinterpreting parts of our past.
Revisions are not always wrong
Re-examining, revising, or rethinking our assumptions, beliefs, or practices is not a sign of weakness or ignorance, but a sign of humility, curiosity, and openness to learning and growth.
Time to discover what's really, really, really right
Sometimes, we need to unlearn, question, or challenge what we've been taught, what we've assumed, or what we've followed blindly, and to search for new or deeper insights, values, or purposes that resonate with our inner self and with the world we inhabit.
Instead of what makes us feel strong
Choosing what feels good, comfortable, or familiar may not always be the same as choosing what is right, fair, or just, and sometimes, we must reconcile these conflicting impulses and priorities, and choose what aligns with our conscience, our reason, and our empathy.
Blood is on your hands
If we participate in violence, hatred, or injustice, we bear responsibility and guilt for the harm we cause or allow to happen, and we cannot escape the consequences, even if we feel justified or powerless.
But it's what the part demands
Sometimes, we face moral dilemmas or ethical conflicts where we must choose between conflicting values, loyalties, or duties, and we may feel compelled or pressured to act against our conscience or our integrity, to comply with a role, a group, or an authority.
Storm's about to rage
Change is coming, and it will be tumultuous, intense, and unpredictable, but it's not a disaster or a curse, but an opportunity to learn, to adapt, and to evolve, and to build a better world together.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind