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,
Effigy
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a palace
All the land
Of humble subjects watched it
Mixed emotions
Who is burning who is burning
Effigy
Who is burning who is burning
Last night I saw the fire spread into
The palace doors
Silent majority weren't keeping quiet anymore
Who is burning who is burning
Effigy
Who is burning who is burning
Effigy
Last night I saw the fire burn into
The country side
In the morning dew were left to watch
The ashes die
Who is burning who is burning
Effigy
Who is burning who is burning
Effigy
Why, why, why
Effigy
Who is burning tell me who is burning
"Effigy" is a song by Gov't Mule, an American rock band formed in 1994. The song tells the story of a flying bird that is seen by a group of humble subjects in a palace. They have mixed emotions, unsure of who or what the bird represents. However, as the fire spreads into the palace doors, the silent majority can no longer stay quiet. The lyrics ask, "Who is burning, who is burning effigy?" The fire eventually reaches the countryside, leaving the remnants of the palace to watch the ashes die in the morning dew. The song ends with the repetition of the question, "Who is burning?"
The lyrics of the song can be interpreted in many ways. On one level, it can be seen as a metaphor for political upheaval, where the people have had enough of the ruling class and are ready to take action. The effigy represents the power structure that the people want to burn down. It can also be interpreted as a warning against blindly following those in power, without questioning their motives or actions.
Interestingly, the title of the song "Effigy" is a reference to the practice of burning an effigy as a representation of an individual or group in protest or retaliation. The song was written by founding member and guitarist Warren Haynes, who often writes lyrics with social commentary.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I saw a flyin' bird
The singer saw something remarkable and unexpected
In a palace
It was in a place of great wealth and power
All the land
Everyone in the area witnessed it
Of humble subjects watched it
Even the less fortunate people saw it
Mixed emotions
People felt conflicted or uncertain about what they saw
Who is burning who is burning
The singer wants to know who is causing destruction
Effigy
Symbolic representation of someone, typically burned in protest
Last night I saw the fire spread into
The artist saw a fire ignite
The palace doors
The fire entered the place of wealth and power
Silent majority weren't keeping quiet anymore
The common people spoke out against those in power
Last night I saw the fire burn into
The fire continued to spread
The country side
It destroyed the surrounding area
In the morning dew were left to watch
After the fire was out, people were left to see the damage it caused
The ashes die
The fire destroyed everything, leaving only ashes
Why, why, why
The singer questions why this destruction happened
Who is burning tell me who is burning
The artist repeats the question, wanting to know who is responsible
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JOHN CAMERON FOGERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind