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,
Temporary Saint
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ask you "why so much concern?"
The same snakes that drive you from my bed
Turn to voices and drive me out of my head
For fourteen days since you been back around
Trying to keep my spirits high and my demons down
But, can't you see
You got to save me or set me free
'cause I'm falling in deeper, darkness, my old friend
I'm in deeper, stay with me till the end
Deeper, you know I got no restraint
I'm in deeper
And lucky you
You get to be my saint
Temporary saint
Cleaning up one more time is sure getting old
Why don't you bury me like the dirt that's in my soul
What makes you think you could love me, anyway?
Ain't nobody told you about the way I operate
Ain't nobody told you, baby?
Well, I guess that makes you the only one
'cause I'm falling in deeper, darkness, my old friend
I'm in deeper, stay with me till the end
Deeper, you know I got no restraint
I'm in deeper
And lucky you, yeah, lucky you
You get to be my saint
Temporary saint
Angel of mercy, set me free
Do you really give a damn for me?
'cause I'm falling in deeper, darkness, my old friend
I'm in deeper, stay with me till the end
Deeper, you know I got no restraint
I'm in deeper
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's Temporary Saint depict a relationship that is in trouble due to the singer's personal demons. The opening lines reveal the dynamics of the relationship as the singer's companion wants to know when they will return. However, the singer is dismissive of the concern and instead highlights how they are facing a personal battle that their companion doesn't understand. The singer feels trapped and overwhelmed by their demons and is falling deeper into darkness.
The singer seems resigned to their fate as they question their companion's motives for loving them. They feel that nobody has warned their companion about what they are like and what they are capable of. The singer sees themselves as having no restraint and being engulfed by the darkness. In desperation, they reach out to their companion, asking them to either save them or set them free. However, they acknowledge that their companion is only a temporary saint.
The song's lyrics convey a sense of helplessness and despair as the singer grapples with their inner demons. The singer seems resigned to their fate, and the only respite they have is their temporary companion. The song strikes an emotional chord, as many people can relate to feeling overwhelmed by internal struggles that even the people closest to them don't seem to understand.
Line by Line Meaning
You ask me when I'm gonna return
You inquire about my return
I ask you "why so much concern?"
I question why you are so worried
The same snakes that drive you from my bed
The same people or things that cause you to leave my bed
Turn to voices and drive me out of my head
Those same people or things become voices in my head, causing me distress
For fourteen days since you been back around
It has been two weeks since you have been around again
Trying to keep my spirits high and my demons down
I am attempting to stay positive and keep my negative influences at bay
But, can't you see
Can you not understand that
You got to save me or set me free
Either you must rescue me or allow me to go
'cause I'm falling in deeper, darkness, my old friend
Because I am feeling deeper into the darkness, my old friend
I'm in deeper, stay with me till the end
I am further down, please stay with me until the end
Deeper, you know I got no restraint
I have no self-control and am going even deeper
And lucky you
You get to be my saint
Temporary saint
You are fortunate to be my temporary savior
Cleaning up one more time is sure getting old
Having to clean up after myself is becoming tedious
Why don't you bury me like the dirt that's in my soul
Why not let me die and bury me like the dirt in my soul
What makes you think you could love me, anyway?
What makes you believe you could love me regardless?
Ain't nobody told you about the way I operate
No one informed you about how I function
Ain't nobody told you, baby?
Did no one warn you, darling?
Well, I guess that makes you the only one
I suppose that means you are the only one who did not hear
Angel of mercy, set me free
Divine being of kindness, release me
Do you really give a damn for me?
Do you actually care for me?
'cause I'm falling in deeper, darkness, my old friend
Because I am descending further into the darkness, my old friend
I'm in deeper, stay with me till the end
I am getting closer to the end, please stay with me
Deeper, you know I got no restraint
I have no self-control and am going even deeper
I'm in deeper
I am sinking deeper into the darkness
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind