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,
Blues Before Sunrise
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have the blues before sunrise
Tears standing in my eyes
Have the blues before sunrise
Tears standing in my eyes
It was a miserable feeling, baby
Feeling I do despise
Had to leave, leave you baby
Know you done me wrong
Had to leave you, baby
Because you know you done me wrong
Well, I gotta pack up my few things
Oh, and down the road I'm gone
I have to leave you, baby
When I leave you all alone
Leave you, baby
Leave you all alone
Well, when I pack up and leave you, darling
You know you do me wrong
Well now goodbye, goodbye, baby
See you some rainy day
Well now, goodbye pretty baby
See you some rainy day
Now can I go ahead now
He let you have your way
The song "Blues Before Sunrise" by Gov't Mule is a classic blues song about heartbreak and loss. The singer is singing about his feelings of despair and sadness before the sun even rises. He sings about how he has tears in his eyes and that he despises the feeling of misery that he is experiencing. The reason for his sadness is because his lover has done him wrong and he has to leave her behind. He packs up his things and hits the road, leaving his lover all alone. Despite the sadness he is feeling, the singer has a sense of determination to move on and find a new life.
The lyrics of this song are simple but powerful. They capture the essence of heartbreak and loss that so many people experience in their lives. The use of repetition, particularly the way the singer sings "tears standing in my eyes" twice in the first verse, emphasizes the depth of his sadness. The use of the phrase "blues before sunrise" is also notable, as it suggests that the singer is feeling sad even before the day has begun.
Overall, "Blues Before Sunrise" is a moving song that captures the essence of the blues. It is a testament to the power of music to express deep feelings of heartbreak and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Have the blues before sunrise
Feeling miserable and sad before the sun comes up
Tears standing in my eyes
Crying and feeling a deep sadness
It was a miserable feeling, baby
Feeling unhappy and down
Feeling I do despise
Disliking and hating the feeling of sadness
Had to leave you, baby
Needing to end the relationship
Know you done me wrong
Aware that the partner has wronged them
Well, I gotta pack up my few things
Packing belongings and preparing to leave
Oh, and down the road I'm gone
Moving away and leaving the relationship behind
Leave you, baby
Ending the relationship
Leave you all alone
Leaving the partner to be alone
You know you do me wrong
Being aware of the partner's wrongdoing
Well now goodbye, goodbye, baby
Saying goodbye to the partner
See you some rainy day
Maybe seeing the partner again in the future
Now can I go ahead now
Asking for permission to leave
He let you have your way
Acknowledging that the partner got what they wanted in the relationship
Lyrics © JOSEPH BIHARI LIVING TRUST DBA MODERN MUSIC PUB COMPANY
Written by: Elmore James, Joe Josea
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
derek wade
Warren Haynes Is A National Treasure!! 🤘🏻💙
Marie Rose
I totally agree!! ❤️
buffip
LOVE the way Mule has taken up the blues!
Hola Bola
Apenas comenzó y ya me encantó ...
🎵🎸🎶
Greatest Toys Ever Made
Nice take on this classic blues song. Keeping the blues alive!
yates tom
great song and the best album of the mule
Still Reading Books
holy hell, thought i was tripping when i saw the background moving. Actually really good stuff, saw this album on vinyl recently kind of took me by surprise, going to have to buy it soon.
An Original Name
I saw these guys at the outlaw music festival with willie nelson, and they were awesome. Its so great to hear them play an old blues song that has kept me company thoughout the years
Bluesful1
The Blues!
Colin Campbell
Class is permanent 💙💙💙💙