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,
Fallen Down
Gov't Mule Lyrics
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His sad eyes had seen it all
Scarred and lonely, tough as nails
Open your heart when all else fails
Wear the veil and the trojan horse smile
Looking back on yesteryear
Seems like, maybe, you missed your calling
And you have fallen down, down from the heavens
Stuck out in the desert
Amazing grace, such a lonely place
For heroes like you and me
Fallen down, just like a shooting star
With no fallen angel standing by
To carry you away
Target practice with other people's lives
Hit a few right between the eyes
But, most of the time, you were wounded by the ricochet
You say â??play to win, boys, never play to lose
Long as your playing, boy, you're bullet-proofâ??
But think about it, you're bleeding to death anyway
And you have fallen down, down from the heavens
Stuck out in the desert
Amazing grace, such a lonely place
For heroes like you and me
Fallen down, just like a shooting star
With no fallen angel standing by
Angel of mercy, take pity on a fool
That spent a lifetime wondering
What Napoleon would do
If he were in your shoes
Rich, without pleasure, respected without love
Drinking poison from a golden cup
While anger, brother of fear, creeps like a knife into your heart
Looking back on yesteryear
Seems like, maybe, you missed your calling
But hindsight is very clear when loneliness is falling
And destiny's through calling
And you have fallen down, fallen down
Amazing grace, it's such a lonely place
Oh yes it is
Fallen down
Fallen down
Fallen down
Fallen down
Fallen down
Fallen down
The song "Fallen Down" by Gov't Mule is a poignant reflection on the loneliness and pain that can come with a life of seeking fame and fortune. The lyrics describe the character of Bigelow, a gigolo who has "seen it all" and is scarred and lonely as a result. Despite his tough exterior, he wears a "veil" and a "Trojan horse smile" to hide his vulnerability. The verses contrast Bigelow's past successes with his present isolation and regret, as he looks back on his life and wonders if he missed his true calling. The chorus speaks of fallen heroes, including Bigelow himself, who have crashed to earth like shooting stars without the comfort of a guardian angel.
The second verse describes Bigelow's approach to life as a game of "target practice" with other people's lives. While he claims to play to win and be bullet-proof, he ultimately ends up wounded by the "ricochet" and bleeding to death. The lyrics also touch on the themes of wealth and power, with references to drinking poison from a golden cup and being respected without love. The final verse addresses the idea of fate and destiny, suggesting that it may be too late for Bigelow to change his path and find true happiness.
Overall, "Fallen Down" is a powerful meditation on the human condition, exploring themes of loneliness, regret, and the search for meaning in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving.
Line by Line Meaning
Bigelow the gigolo had no where else to go
Bigelow, a male prostitute, was in a desperate situation with no other options for survival.
His sad eyes had seen it all
Bigelow's eyes display a life full of sadness, hardship and bitterness.
Scarred and lonely, tough as nails
Bigelow is a tough man but he has been left with painful emotional scars from his past that has left him feeling isolated.
Open your heart when all else fails
When everything fails, one should try to keep their heart/mind open to bring in hope and positive energy.
Wear the veil and the trojan horse smile
Hidden intentions and deceitfulness are to be employed when it is necessary to survive in a dangerous environment.
Looking back on yesteryear, seems like, maybe, you missed your calling
Upon reflection, Bigelow realizes that he missed his opportunities and his life's true purpose.
But hindsight is very clear when loneliness is falling
Bigelow begins to better understand his past mistakes when he's all alone and feeling helpless.
And you have fallen down, down from the heavens
Bigelow, who used to be in a better state, has fallen or failed in life.
Stuck out in the desert
Bigelow is deserted and abandoned in a desolate and isolated place in life.
Amazing grace, such a lonely place
Bigelow can't help but acknowledge the utter loneliness and isolation he's experiencing as he plummets.
For heroes like you and me
Ironically, Bigelow sees himself as a hero and believes his struggles, failures, and inner battles make him one.
Fallen down, just like a shooting star
Bigelow's fall from grace is compared to that of a shooting star - it was rapid, romanticized, and painful.
With no fallen angel standing by to carry you away
Bigelow was alone in his fall, with no one to help him up on his feet or carry him away from the wreckage he's in.
Target practice with other people's lives
Bigelow has a habit of taking other people down with him and using them as target practice.
Hit a few right between the eyes
Bigelow has succeeded in his mission of taking other people down with him.
But, most of the time, you were wounded by the ricochet
Bigelow himself was often hurt himself, injured and suffering the after-effects of his actions.
You say â??play to win, boys, never play to lose
Bigelow encourages others to play the game of life well and always work towards success.
Long as your playing, boy, you're bullet-proofâ??
As long as you play the game correctly and smartly, you're safe and sound.
But think about it, you're bleeding to death anyway
Bigelow is beginning to understand that no matter how well you play the game, life is fleeting and precarious, and everyone will eventually be faced with mortality.
Angel of mercy, take pity on a fool
Bigelow reaches out to a higher power or something beyond his control to come and help him in his troubled state.
That spent a lifetime wondering what Napoleon would do
Bigelow wonders what the most successful individual in history, Napoleon Bonaparte, would do in his situation.
If he were in your shoes
Bigelow is contemplating what kind of actions would have Napoleon taken if he found himself in his shoes, facing the same life troubles.
Rich, without pleasure, respected without love
Bigelow has achieved success in life financially, but he's unable to find happiness, love or peace.
Drinking poison from a golden cup
Bigelow sees the things he's achieved that previously gave him pleasure are instead destroying him slowly.
While anger, brother of fear, creeps like a knife into your heart
Bigelow is becoming increasingly bitter and resentful, this negativity ravaging his mental and emotional wellbeing.
And destiny's through calling
Destiny or fate has decided that Bigelow's time in life, or a certain chapter, has come to an end.
Fallen down, fallen down
Bigelow has fallen from grace and has lost his bearings in life.
Amazing grace, it's such a lonely place, Oh yes it is Fallen down, fallen down Fallen down Fallen down
Bigelow’s life is going through a turbulent time - things are falling apart and it’s a lonely place to be.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind