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,
Tryin' Not to Fall
Gov't Mule Lyrics
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I know now where the traps lie, are they lyin' for me
Only love can save ya
Well I don't feel it
I'm just a poor soul, I'm weak, but I gotta stand tall
Tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
And I feel the tumblers fallin', are they fallin' on me
Only truth can save you
But I don't remember it
I'm just a poor soul, I'm weak, but I gotta stand tall
Tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
Tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
Where are the others fell before me, will I see 'em again
Where is my strength that I've known for so long
Is it failing me now
Nothin' left to save ya'
I'm just a poor soul, I'm weak, but I gotta stand tall
Tryin not to fall
Into the abyss
Tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
Tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
Tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
Up the stair stones, up the stair stones, up the stairs
Do it like a man, that's where we live
Sirens callin' out my name, callin' out my name, oh yeah
Black shine tryin' to drag me down, tryin' to drag me down
Oh, can you feel it
Tryin' not to fall, tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
The lyrics to Gov't Mule's song Tryin' Not to Fall describe a personal struggle with staying strong and not succumbing to the challenges and traps of life. The verses suggest paranoia, asking whether the laughter or sirens are directed at the singer, and whether they are falling victim to traps or tumbling down. The chorus emphasizes the importance of trying not to fall into the abyss, using repetition to indicate the difficulty of this task. The bridge offers a glimmer of hope as the singer affirms their determination to persevere like a man, despite feeling weak.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition, in which everyone struggles to stay afloat amidst the hardships and obstacles of life. It speaks to the difficulty of fighting against the negative forces that can drag one down, suggesting that the only way to persevere is through love, truth and inner strength. Ultimately, the song offers a message of hope that despite the challenges, one can continue to stand tall and try to avoid falling into the abyss of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the faces laughin', are they laughin' at me
The singer is feeling self-conscious and wonders if people are mocking him
I know now where the traps lie, are they lyin' for me
The singer is aware of possible dangers but is unsure if they are intentionally targeting him
Only love can save ya
Well I don't feel it
The singer believes that love is the only solution, but he is not currently feeling loved
I'm just a poor soul, I'm weak, but I gotta stand tall
Tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
Although he is struggling, the singer is determined to remain strong and not give in to negativity or despair
I hear the sirens callin', are they callin' for me
And I feel the tumblers fallin', are they fallin' on me
The singer hears warning signs of danger but is unsure if he is the intended target
Only truth can save you
But I don't remember it
The singer believes only truth can save him, but he is struggling to remember or recognize what the truth is
Where are the others fell before me, will I see 'em again
Where is my strength that I've known for so long
Is it failing me now
Nothin' left to save ya'
The singer is feeling lost and questioning his own strength and resilience
Up the stair stones, up the stair stones, up the stairs
Do it like a man, that's where we live
Sirens callin' out my name, callin' out my name, oh yeah
Black shine tryin' to drag me down, tryin' to drag me down
Oh, can you feel it
The singer is describing a difficult journey where he needs to be brave and push through despite external threats that are causing him to feel scared or overwhelmed
Tryin' not to fall, tryin' not to fall
Into the abyss
The singer is repeating his determination to remain strong and avoid falling into despair or darkness
Writer(s): Warren Haynes, Daniel Louis
Contributed by Caleb R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.