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,
Child of the Earth
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that wisdom comes from despair
And I realize it's harder to find your own voice
Than to follow one already in the air
And as our time draws nearer
I wonder just when we stopped being young
And I know my greatest deeds will go unnoticed
Child of the earth hear my confession
Please don't tell me that it's overdue
And from the four corners of the universe
I will make my way to you
A gentle touch known only to each other
And a breath that comforts like the rain
And a taste no other shall ever know
That upon my tongue shall remain
Child of the earth heal me with your whisper
Hold me close to your breast
Dress my wounds with your innocence
I am weary let me rest
Let your rain wash over me
You know all I ever hoped to be
Is half of what you are to me
So take me from this island
Lead me to the mountains of the moon
As long as you lead I will follow
And the end of time will be too soon
Child of the earth hear my confession
Please don't tell me that it's overdue
And from the four corners of the universe
I will make my way to you
Child of the earth heal me with your whisper
Come and hold me close to your breast
Dress my wounds with your innocence
I am weary let me rest
I am weary
I am weary
I will make my way to you
I will make my way to you
I will make my way to you
The lyrics of "Child of the Earth" are a reflection on the singer's relationship with the earth and their place in it. The first stanza acknowledges the difficulty of finding one's own voice and wisdom, especially when it is easier to follow the voices of others. The second stanza contemplates the passage of time and the realization that the singer's accomplishments may go unnoticed, but that their true treasures are the connection they have with the earth.
The chorus addresses the "Child of the Earth," a personification of the earth itself, as someone to whom the singer can confess their fears and hopes. The singer acknowledges that they may have been neglectful in their relationship with the earth and seeks forgiveness. The verses that follow continue to explore the richness of the connection between the singer and the earth, with allusions to the comfort of rain, the taste of something unique, and the healing power of a gentle touch.
The bridge expresses the singer's desire to follow the "Child of the Earth" wherever it may lead, even if it means leaving behind the familiar and venturing into unknown territory. The song ends as it began, with the repeated vow to make one's way to the earth and find comfort in its embrace.
Overall, "Child of the Earth" is a complex meditation on the relationship between human beings and the natural world. It acknowledges the challenges of finding one's place in the world, the importance of tending to the earth, and the beauty and richness that can be found in that connection.
Line by Line Meaning
As I stand here searching for the right words
In this moment, I am struggling to articulate my thoughts
I know that wisdom comes from despair
One can gain insight and understanding through difficult experiences
And I realize it's harder to find your own voice
It can be challenging to express oneself authentically
Than to follow one already in the air
It can feel easier to conform to existing ideas rather than create new ones
And as our time draws nearer
As we approach the future
I wonder just when we stopped being young
I reflect on the moment when we lost our innocence and became adults
And I know my greatest deeds will go unnoticed
I understand that my accomplishments may go unrecognized
And our treasures were here all along
We have had valuable things in our lives from the beginning
Child of the earth hear my confession
I implore you to listen to what I have to say
Please don't tell me that it's overdue
I hope that it is not too late to share my feelings
And from the four corners of the universe
From every direction in the cosmos
I will make my way to you
I am determined to come to you
A gentle touch known only to each other
We have a unique tenderness between us
And a breath that comforts like the rain
Your exhale is soothing and calming
And a taste no other shall ever know
An indescribable flavor that no one else can comprehend
That upon my tongue shall remain
I will never forget that sensation
Child of the earth heal me with your whisper
I request your healing words to ease my pain
Hold me close to your breast
Embrace me and make me feel loved
Dress my wounds with your innocence
Help heal my emotional wounds with your purity
I am weary let me rest
I am tired and need to recuperate
Let your rain wash over me
Allow your life-giving water to cleanse me
You know all I ever hoped to be
You understand my aspirations
Is half of what you are to me
I feel like I can only achieve a fraction of what you represent to me
So take me from this island
Remove me from my current situation
Lead me to the mountains of the moon
Bring me to a place of mystery and beauty
As long as you lead I will follow
I am willing to be guided by you
And the end of time will be too soon
I wish to spend eternity with you
I will make my way to you
I am determined to come to you
I am weary
I am tired
I am weary
I am tired
I will make my way to you
I am determined to come to you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind