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,
Lay of the Sunflower
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go out logging that hardwood timber
Hardwood timber that grows so low
In the forest of Fennario
Tell me what you need to live, love
Do you ask that you might own
Keep my blue-eyed hound to guard you
I will not return in winter
If I be not back by fall
Seek me when this small sunflower
Stands above the garden wall
Fare you well and I would not weep
Bid you tend your prayers to keep
Hill by dale now I must go
To the forest of Fennario
Nine-month blew with sleeted rain
And still he came not back again
Summoned she the hound to go
To seek him in Fennario
He came back the fated day
To find his lady gone away
Made haste to follow in her track
Where she could go but not turn back
The blue-eyed hound at her side did bay
While fast her breath did fade away
She cried out, "Turn, my love, and go
I would not you see me so"
Fare you well and I would not weep
Bid you tend your prayers to keep
Hill by dale now I must go
To the forest of Fennario
I shall not turn, I shall not yield
Oh, selfsame serpent sting my heel
That bleeds my lady's blood away
Beside the blue-eyed hound to lay
Angels sing their souls to sleep
Four winds grace their breath to keep
Up above yon garden wall
Stands the sunflower, straight and tall
Fare you well and I would not weep
Bid you tend your prayers to keep
Hill by dale now I must go
To the forest of Fennario
The song "Lay of the Sunflower" by Gov't Mule is a classic example of storytelling through music. The lyrics describe the journey of the singer as he leaves his loved one and goes out into the forest of Fennario to log hardwood timber. The singer leaves his blue-eyed hound to guard his loved one while he makes his way alone. He promises to return before winter ends and asks his loved one to seek him when the sunflower stands above the garden wall.
However, nine months pass, and the singer does not return. His loved one summons the blue-eyed hound to seek him in Fennario, but the singer comes back to find his lady gone away. He hastens to follow her track, but eventually, she dies, and he chooses to die beside her, bleeding her last drop of blood. The song ends with angels singing and the sunflower standing tall.
The song depicts a tragic story of love, loss, and sacrifice, with various characters playing their respective roles. The forest of Fennario symbolizes the unknown, and the singer's journey into it indicates his willingness to take risks and face the unknown to provide for his loved ones. The blue-eyed hound symbolizes loyalty and protection, and the sunflower symbolizes hope and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
I must leave you for a season
I have to leave you for a while
Go out logging that hardwood timber
I have to go and cut some hardwood trees
Hardwood timber that grows so low
The trees I'm getting are not too tall
In the forest of Fennario
I'm going to the forest called Fennario
Tell me what you need to live, love
What are the things you need to survive my dear?
Do you ask that you might own
Is there something you want to possess?
Keep my blue-eyed hound to guard you
Please take care of my blue-eyed dog while I'm away
I will make my way alone
I will go by myself
I will not return in winter
I won't come back during the winter
If I be not back by fall
If I'm not back before autumn
Seek me when this small sunflower
Look for me when this small sunflower
Stands above the garden wall
Is standing above the wall in the garden
Fare you well and I would not weep
Goodbye my dear, I won't cry
Bid you tend your prayers to keep
Take care of your beliefs
Hill by dale now I must go
I have to climb hills and cross valleys
Nine-month blew with sleeted rain
Nine months passed with a lot of rain and sleet
And still he came not back again
He didn't return yet
Summoned she the hound to go
She called the dog to go with her
To seek him in Fennario
To look for him in Fennario
He came back the fated day
He returned on the day it was decided
To find his lady gone away
He discovered his lady was already gone
Made haste to follow in her track
He hurried to follow her path
Where she could go but not turn back
She went somewhere she couldn't turned back from
The blue-eyed hound at her side did bay
The dog with blue eyes was howling by her side
While fast her breath did fade away
Her breath was fading fast
She cried out, 'Turn, my love, and go
She yelled, 'Turn around and leave my love'
I would not you see me so'
I don't want you to see me like this'
I shall not turn, I shall not yield
I won't turn or give up
Oh, selfsame serpent sting my heel
Oh, the same snake bit my heel
That bleeds my lady's blood away
That is causing my lady's blood to flow out
Beside the blue-eyed hound to lay
Lay next to the blue-eyed dog
Angels sing their souls to sleep
Angels sing them lullabies
Four winds grace their breath to keep
The four winds preserve their last breath
Up above yon garden wall
Above that garden wall
Stands the sunflower, straight and tall
Is standing that sunflower, upright and high
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT C. HUNTER, WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind