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,
Black
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even sinking down myself
I'm tired, I can feel me turning
(Into someone else, into someone else)
New day, dawning on the black horizon
New life, waiting on the other side
No more, running and hiding
Last night, felt the whole world crumbling
Even crumbling in myself
Dark dreams woke me up this morning
(Worst I ever felt, worst I ever felt)
New day, dawning on the black horizon
New life, waiting on the other side
No more, running and hiding
Getting ready to end this long, hard ride
World is turning to a hall of mirrors
Just you and me, what I don't wanna see
Everywhere I look, I see the stranger
Am I chasing him
Or is he chasing me?
New day, dawning on the black horizon
New life, waiting on the other side
No more, running and hiding
Getting ready to end this long, hard ride
Looking over the mountain
East in the valley
New day, dawning
New day, dawning
I'm ready
"Black" by Gov't Mule is a song that talks about new beginnings after a long, hard ride. The opening lines of the song touch upon the exhaustion that the singer is feeling. He is tired and can feel himself "turning into someone else," symbolizing a change in his personality or character. The "red sun sinking down in the valley" adds to the imagery of an ending, signaling the end of a rough journey.
However, the song goes on to reassure the listener that there is hope for the future. The singer talks about a "new day" and a "new life" that are waiting on the other side of the "black horizon." This signifies a fresh start, an opportunity to leave behind whatever troubles were encountered on the journey. Even though the singer feared the worst, as evidenced by his dark dreams and the sense that the world is turning into a "hall of mirrors," he is still hopeful for a better tomorrow.
The song concludes with the image of the singer looking over the mountain and seeing a new day dawning. He is ready to take on whatever the future holds, having emerged from the difficult times that came before. The song is uplifting in its message of hope for the future but also acknowledges the struggles that have been faced.
Line by Line Meaning
Red sun sinking down in the valley
The day is ending, and everything is going downhill.
Even sinking down myself
I too am feeling defeated.
I'm tired, I can feel me turning
I am exhausted, and I sense that I am transforming into a different person.
(Into someone else, into someone else)
(I am becoming another version of myself.)
New day, dawning on the black horizon
A brand new day is beginning, even though hope seems to be fading.
New life, waiting on the other side
There is a fresh start that is achievable, just beyond reach.
No more, running and hiding
I won't live in fear anymore and face everything head-on.
Getting ready to end this long, hard ride
I am prepared to put this terrible experience behind me.
Last night, felt the whole world crumbling
Everything seemed to be falling apart last night.
Even crumbling in myself
I was breaking down mentally and physically too.
Dark dreams woke me up this morning
I had a terrifying nightmare that woke me up this morning.
(Worst I ever felt, worst I ever felt)
(It was the worst feeling I had ever experienced.)
World is turning to a hall of mirrors
The world seems like a distorted maze that I can't seem to escape.
Just you and me, what I don't wanna see
I am forced to confront all that is coming my way, even if it's something unpleasant.
Everywhere I look, I see the stranger
I am surrounded by unfamiliar surroundings and people.
Am I chasing him
I am not sure who or what I should be pursuing.
Or is he chasing me?
Perhaps the stranger is after me.
Looking over the mountain
I am standing on top of a hill, gazing out at the vast landscape.
East in the valley
The sun is rising over the valleys in the east.
New day, dawning
A fresh beginning is starting.
New day, dawning
A brand new day is here.
I'm ready
I am prepared to face whatever challenges come my way with courage and determination.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Warren Haynes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff Lancaster
I have been a mule fan since the beginning. This album is outstanding. I have to give admiration to the band but please people. Give props to the sound engineer too. This album is a masterpiece.
Blackhorse Music
I so love Warren’s vocals on this one! Just amazing ♥️
Shane Wade
This song would make a hauntingly awesome song on a Western movie soundtrack!!!
Edson Francisco
I THINK YOU RIGHT!!!
Sandra Kusmanoff
LOVE THIS SONG. GET IT ON LIVE🧡
Roy Doolin
Thank you Warren. I needed this tonight more than you could ever know.
William Dillard
I see this as a positive song rather than a negative one.as in one putting his troubled past behind him and starting fresh
N2
Cornbread Delta & funky — my new favorite of your new. 😎
yoctanuri
Beautiful!
Danah Els
Awesome! Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving all.