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,
Look On Yonder Wall
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look over yonder's wall, hand me down my walking cane
I got myself a woman and yonder comes your man
Now I'm in love with you baby but you don't treat me right
Now I'm in love with you baby but you don't treat me right
You take all my money, walk the streets late at night
Now your man went to the war, and I know it was rough
Don't know how many men he killed, but he done killed enough
Look over yonder's wall, hand me down my walking cane
Look over yonder's wall, hand me down my walking cane
I got myself a woman and yonder comes your man
The song "Look On Yonder Wall" by Gov't Mule is a traditional blues song that tells the story of a man who has fallen in love with a woman who is already taken. The repeated line "Look over yonder's wall, hand me down my walking cane" creates a sense of urgency and highlights the singer's desire to escape the situation. The phrase "hand me down my walking cane" is also significant as it implies that the singer is ready to leave and move on from the woman who doesn't treat him right.
The second stanza reveals the woman's unfaithfulness and how she uses the singer's money to walk the streets late at night. This reinforces the theme of betrayal and adds another reason for the singer to leave. The reference to the woman being in love with someone else ("yonder comes your man") shows that the love between the singer and her is one-sided.
In the final stanza, the mention of the woman's man going to war and "killing enough" indicates a possible reason for the woman's unfaithfulness. It also adds to the sense of danger and violence that prevails throughout the song. The repetition of the opening line in the final stanza reinforces the singer's desire to leave and escape from the situation.
Overall, "Look On Yonder Wall" is a traditional blues song that explores themes of love, betrayal, and violence. The repeated refrain and urgent tone create a sense of tension that builds throughout the song, culminating in the singer's desire to leave.
Line by Line Meaning
Look over yonder's wall, hand me down my walking cane
I am observing something beyond the physical barrier and require my walking cane to go closer to it.
I got myself a woman and yonder comes your man
I am romantically involved with someone, and it seems like your partner is approaching us.
Now I'm in love with you baby but you don't treat me right
My feelings for you are strong, but you don't reciprocate them in ways that I desire and expect.
You take all my money, walk the streets late at night
You use my financial resources selfishly and irresponsibly, and you wander around during odd hours, which makes me uncomfortable.
Now your man went to the war, and I know it was rough
Your partner went to battle, and I understand that it was an arduous experience for them.
Don't know how many men he killed, but he done killed enough
I am not aware of the exact number of people your partner has killed, but it seems like it is sufficient and maybe more.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, GULF COAST MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELMORE JAMES, MARSHALL E SEHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind