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,
Gonna Send You Back to Georgia
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But look what you've got now
Sometimes I wonder did I made a mistake
When I brought you from the South
But I'm gonna send you back to Georgia
Girl, that's where you belong
You done got in the big city
Your mama and your daddy, they told me, baby
That I could bring you from the south
They brought you to the city
When you were just a child
And the bright lights drove ou wild
I'm gonna send you back to Georgia
Girl because you don't know a thing
Now, when I first, I met you, baby
You couldn't even read or write your name
You sure was dumb
You run the streets with your bald head
Tryin' to play the high class game
You'd run those streets on both day and night
You don't have pocket change
But I'm gonna send you back to Georgia
Girl before having to use my rod
And I can't understand it baby
What is makin' your head so hard
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's song "Gonna Send You Back to Georgia" tell the story of a man regretting his decision to bring his lover from the South to the big city. The man reflects on how when he met her, she had nothing, but now she has everything and has started to do him wrong. He attributes this change to the bright lights of the city and the high-class game she tries to play. The man decides to send his lover back to Georgia because she doesn't know a thing and her head is too hard to understand.
At its core, the song is about a lost identity. The woman has lost her roots and sense of where she comes from since moving to the city. The man realizes that he made a mistake in trying to change her and bring her into his city life. He recognizes the importance of belonging and returning to one's roots.
The song is a soulful rock ballad with heavy guitar riffs and powerful vocals. It was originally written by Joe Tex in 1960 but has been covered by many artists, including Otis Redding and the Animals. Gov't Mule's version of the song features a unique twist on the classic blues tune with its hard rock and jam band influences.
Line by Line Meaning
You had nothin' when I met you, baby
When we first met, you had nothing material, but I was willing to overlook that.
But look what you've got now
Over time, you have acquired wealth or possessions, thanks in part to my efforts.
Sometimes I wonder did I made a mistake
Occasionally, I question whether bringing you to the city was a good decision.
When I brought you from the South
I am responsible for bringing you from your home state of Georgia to the city where we now live.
But I'm gonna send you back to Georgia
Now, however, I have decided that it is time for you to return to your roots and the place where you truly belong.
Girl, that's where you belong
Georgia is your natural home, that's where you fit in best.
You done got in the big city
Being in the metropolis has caused you to lose touch with your true self and your origins.
You done started doin' me wrong,
You are acting badly toward me, possibly due to the aforementioned issues.
Your mama and your daddy, they told me, baby
Your parents gave me permission to take you from their home state and care for you.
That I could bring you from the south
They entrusted me with bringing you to the city, hoping that it would give you more chances in life.
When you were just a child
You were very young when they sent you away from home.
And the bright lights drove ou wild
The distractions and excitement of the city had a powerful effect on you, leading you astray.
Girl because you don't know a thing
Your behavior has shown that you lack the knowledge, wisdom, or maturity to live responsibly in the city.
Now, when I first, I met you, baby
When we first met, you were uneducated and unsophisticated.
You couldn't even read or write your name
Your literacy skills were so limited that you could not read or write even your own name.
You sure was dumb
Your intellect was below average or limited in some regard.
You run the streets with your bald head
You spend a lot of time wandering around aimlessly in the city.
Tryin' to play the high class game
Despite your limited resources, you attempt to portray yourself as sophisticated or classy.
You'd run those streets on both day and night
You have a habit of staying out very late, often all night.
You don't have pocket change
You don't typically carry cash or other funds to support your daily needs.
Girl before having to use my rod
If you don't change your ways, I will have to discipline you severely.
And I can't understand it baby
I am struggling to comprehend why you are acting so badly, despite everything I have done for you.
What is makin' your head so hard
What is causing you to be so stubborn, resistant, or uncooperative?
Lyrics © ALLIGATOR RECRDS/EYEBALL MUSIC
Written by: THEODORE R TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind