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,
Funny Little Tragedy
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a mean old world
The killer little soldier
Is now a scared little girl
Always had everything
Just handed to you
Always had it your way
And seeing you now
All broken down, I gotta say
It's a funny little tragedy
A funny little tragedy
A funny little tragedy
Your standing on my doorstep
You say you've got nowhere to go
You're all soaking wet
I've never seen you so low
Sorry if I don't fall
For your tricks again
But I seem to recall
The way you did me in
And now your new lover
Has left you high and dry, I gotta say
It's a funny little tragedy
A funny little tragedy
A funny little tragedy
Yeah I dream about this day
Seeing you go down this way
That's all I got to say
Maybe some day
If I see you again
Things will be different
And we can be friends
But for now I believe
You better walk away
The little soldier and me
We go our separate ways
I can watch you walking
Tears running down your face
It's a funny little tragedy
A funny little tragedy
A funny little tragedy
Yeah, I dream about this day
Seeing you down this way
That's all I got to say
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's "Funny Little Tragedy" speak of a person who had everything handed to them in life and had their own way, but eventually, life finally showed them that it is a mean old world. The person the singer is referring to was once a killer little soldier but is now reduced to a scared little girl. The singer remembers how this person did them in and does not fall for their tricks again. They add that the person's new lover has left them high and dry, and now, they stand on their doorstep saying they have got nowhere to go.
The song's title "Funny Little Tragedy" refers to the ironic nature of the situation. The person who had everything and was once a killer little soldier now finds themselves in a tragic and vulnerable state. The singer seems to take pleasure in seeing this former soldier brought down low, but at the same time, they provide some level of empathy, allowing the person to walk away, even if it is better for them to go their separate ways.
Overall, the lyrics speak of the reality of life and how fate can come back to bite you in unexpected ways. The song speaks to people who have had a fall from grace or those who have dealt with betrayal and loss in their lives. It shows how unpredictable life can be and how we all need to be prepared for the unexpected.
Line by Line Meaning
Life has finally shown you
You've finally come to understand that life can be cruel
It's a mean old world
The world can be harsh and unforgiving
The killer little soldier
Your tough exterior has been diminished
Is now a scared little girl
You are now vulnerable and afraid
Always had everything
You were always given what you wanted
Just handed to you
You never had to work for anything
Always had it your way
Your desires were always met without opposition
I got to hand it to you
I must admit that you were fortunate
And seeing you now
Observing you in your current state
All broken down, I gotta say
I must say that it's sad to see you so defeated
Your standing on my doorstep
You've come to my home seeking help
You say you've got nowhere to go
You claim to have no other options
You're all soaking wet
You're drenched from the rain
I've never seen you so low
I've never seen you so down and out
Sorry if I don't fall
I apologize if I don't succumb
For your tricks again
To your deceptive ways once more
But I seem to recall
I remember
The way you did me in
The manner in which you betrayed me
And now your new lover
The person you're currently with
Has left you high and dry, I gotta say
They've left you stranded and alone, and it's unfortunate
Yeah I dream about this day
I've imagined this moment
Seeing you go down this way
Seeing you suffer and lose everything
Maybe some day
Perhaps in the future
If I see you again
If we cross paths again
Things will be different
Our dynamic will have changed
And we can be friends
And we can have a cordial relationship
But for now I believe
But currently I hold true
You better walk away
You should leave and not come back
The little soldier and me
The tough side of myself and I
We go our separate ways
We're taking different paths
I can watch you walking
I can observe you leaving
Tears running down your face
With tears streaming from your eyes
Yeah, I dream about this day
I've longed for this moment
Seeing you down this way
Seeing you suffer and lose everything
That's all I got to say
That concludes what I have to say
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maxim Popov
Rock on 💙
Russell McBride
😶 This video had nothing to do with the song. Typical.