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,
Sad And Deep As You
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lips that speak too soon
Lips that tell a story
Sad and deep as you
Smile that's warm as summer sun
Smile that gets you through
Smile that tells a story
Eyes that the windows
Eyes that are the dew
Eyes that tell a story
Sad and deep as you
Tears that are unspoken words
Tears that are the truth
Tears that tell a story
Sad and deep as you
The lyrics to Gov't Mule's song Sad And Deep As You describe a person who tells a sad and deep story through their lips, smile, eyes, and tears. The first stanza talks about lips that are warm but also quick to speak, telling a story that is as sad and deep as the person themselves. The second stanza describes a warm smile that helps the person get through, but also tells a story that is sad and deep like them. The third stanza talks about eyes that not only reflect the feelings inside but also tell a sad and deep story. Finally, tears are described as unspoken words that reveal the truth and the sadness that the person carries.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be about a person who has gone through some sort of emotional pain or trauma and carries it with them always. Despite smiling and seeming to be warm on the outside, the sadness and depth in their story is always present and can be seen in their eyes, lips, and tears.
Line by Line Meaning
Lips that are as warm could be
The person's lips are warm, but they speak too soon and tell stories that are just as sad and deep as the person themself.
Smile that's warm as summer sun
The person has a warm smile that can get them through tough times, but it also tells a story just as sad and deep as the person themself.
Eyes that the windows
The person's eyes are like windows into their thoughts and feelings.
Eyes that are the dew
The person's eyes are like dew, possibly indicating they are pensive, melancholic or maybe the color or texture of the person's eyes remind the author of dew.
Eyes that tell a story
The person's eyes reveal a story that is just as sad and deep as the person themself.
Tears that are unspoken words
The person's tears are like unspoken words, expressing emotions the person is otherwise unable to convey.
Tears that are the truth
The person's tears are a reflection of the truth and reality of their situation and emotions.
Tears that tell a story
The person's tears reveal a story that is just as sad and deep as the person themself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE MASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind