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,
dark was the night cold was the ground
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blue on one side, black is on the other
We all see red, it′s definin' our color
Are we in a hurry, see what happens in the end
If we don′t find the new start, end is night, my friend
Dark was the night and cold was the ground
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, yeah, cold was the ground
Rue the day that we can't live together
Cut so deep and we keep bleeding forever
Are we so blind? Can't see the road ahead
Traveling to somewhere, we′d be better off dead
Are we so hungry for the old days
That we′d actually go back in time?
Relive all the negativity that took us so long to live down
Memories of kings and queens that were buried in the past
Seem like the ghost a-rising up
Rising up, rising up
Pullin' us back
Dark was the night and cold was the ground
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh
Oh, oh
Cold was the ground
The first verse of Gov't Mule's song "Dark was the Night, Cold was the Ground" highlights the division and conflicts that exist in society. The color blue representing one side and black the other, while red symbolizes what defines and separates us. The subsequent line implies that if we fail to find a new path, the end is inevitable. The second verse is a question of whether we are so blinded by the past, the memories of monarchs, and negativity that we are rapidly undone by a rising ghost. The ghost could symbolize our inability to let go of past injustices and so we are continually pulled back to relive them.
The repeating phrase "Dark was the Night and Cold was the Ground" could have multiple meanings. On one hand, it could symbolize the long and difficult journey ahead if we don't collectively embrace a new path. On the other hand, it could reference the bleak and isolated emotional state of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Dark was the night and cold was the ground
The situation was bleak and freezing with no signs of hope.
Blue on one side, black is on the other
People are divided and categorized based on factors like race and political affiliation.
We all see red, it′s definin' our color
Anger, passion, and conflict are the defining emotions and characteristics of humanity, regardless of any other factors.
Are we in a hurry, see what happens in the end
Are we moving too fast, without considering the consequences or long-term effects of our actions?
If we don′t find the new start, end is night, my friend
Without finding a way to start fresh, there may be no hope for a better future.
Rue the day that we can't live together
It's a tragedy that people can't peacefully coexist and accept each other's differences.
Cut so deep and we keep bleeding forever
The wounds of past conflicts and divisions continue to hurt and affect us even in the present.
Are we so blind? Can't see the road ahead
Are we lacking foresight or understanding of what needs to be done to move forward?
Traveling to somewhere, we′d be better off dead
If we keep going down the wrong path, we may end up in a worse situation than before.
Are we so hungry for the old days
Do we desire a return to the past, even if it means reverting to negative aspects like discrimination and inequality?
That we′d actually go back in time?
Are we willing to take such a drastic step for the sake of nostalgia or other reasons?
Relive all the negativity that took us so long to live down
Going back to the past would mean reliving the pain and trauma of conflicts that have since been overcome.
Memories of kings and queens that were buried in the past
The glory and power of past leaders and civilizations may be romanticized, but they are still ultimately gone and no longer relevant to the present.
Seem like the ghost a-rising up
The past still haunts us and affects us, even though it is gone and cannot be changed.
Rising up, rising up, pullin' us back
The past has a gravitational pull that may be hard to resist or escape from.
Oh, oh
An expression of despair or frustration.
Oh, yeah, cold was the ground
Reiterating the bleak and hopeless situation.
Oh
An exclamation of pain or sadness.
Writer(s): Warren Haynes, Matthew Abts, Daniel Louis Schliftman, Jorgen Carlsson
Contributed by Natalie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Love-on7vv
Love My Mule
@aleixlozzano
...and Blind Willie smiled, a million miles from the Earth and a million miles from yesterday... :)
@ricknelson5493
nicely, sweetly said, thanks fellow G.M fan
@gw5309
Warren is one of the premier musicians of our time. And a hell of a nice guy. 🤘
@jameslanning8405
You know, when a man got 12 strings on his guitar, instead of the usual 5-6, he's gonna do some 'n!
@maximpopov8651
Blues Rock is the healer 💙☮️💙
@elenagallina598
Everyone plays their instrument beautifully, but that piano gives a magical flavor to the whole piece!
@markgarno5167
Just BLEW MY SOUL WITH THIS HERE...
This is my new favorite song 🎵 by you guys...I can't stop listening to it
@jluther1755
Got to see the original mule a few times in the small venue's on Asheville. Saw many a Christmas jam and pre jam shows saw the Allman brothers with warren and Derick. Just a great guy and a great talent. Warren is one of the greatest interpretors of our time. He's pulled out songs I just wouldn't imagine and kills it. You go Warren you deserve it. Matt love you too bud.
@jefflancaster4423
Those were the days. I was blessed to share the stage with Mule and Kelly Holland.R.I.P. Kelly. It was a Christmas Jam back when it was at Be Here Now I think 1997. Warren is one of the most humble talented and kind person I've ever met. And no disrespect to James Brown but there is a new hardest working man in rock and roll. Thanks Warren.