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Rolling Stone called Daniel Lanois “the most important record producer to emerge in the '80s” for his work with U2 (The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree), Peter Gabriel (So), and Bob Dylan (Oh Mercy). Each of those albums expressed spirituality more explicitly than the artists had previously. No wonder, then, that beginning in 1989 Lanois’ own musical expressions became more spiritual. Known earlier for ambient work with Brian Eno, he has since become known for a song he wrote that year, “The Maker.”

Watch The Maker on YouTube Daniel Lanois - "The Maker" Video by Warner Records Vault.

In the same vein as “Amazing Grace,” Lanois’ “Maker” draws smooth lyrics across a simple but powerful musical base. The singer laments having erred into darkness, and pauses to sigh at his choosing to be saved. The song’s smooth spirituality has fooled some to think it is an old hymnal. But even though not penned until 1989, “The Maker” has already become a classic, covered often by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Jerry Garcia Band, and the Dave Matthews Band. Lanois himself re-released it as part of his sound-track to the 1996 movie Sling Blade – and, a year later, recorded “Amazing Grace” for a compilation by the same name.

Phish first performed the moving tune with the Dave Matthews Band at their first visit to Oak Moutain Amphitheatre emerging from a drums jam for the 10/15/94 encore. (The band shared the tune in the stolid section of the “Bible Belt,” ending a show which also featured a host of songs about spiritual awakening, including “Amazing Grace,” “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” and “Bouncing Around the Room.”) 

Watch The Maker on YouTube Phish with Dave Matthews Band - "The Maker" - 10/15/94, Pelham, AL. Video by DMB Almanac.

998 shows later, Dave joined the band during the encore for another version of "The Maker" on the first night of the four night stand at Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico between the Phish debut of Dave's "So Damn Lucky" and "Tweezer Reprise" featuring him on guitar and vocals.

Watch The Maker on YouTube Dave Matthews and Friends with Daniel Lanois, Emmylou Harris, and Trey Anastasio - "The Maker" - 1/15/04, Los Angeles, CA. Video by JayBTV.copperpot5

Trey first performed “The Maker” during his stint with Dave Matthews and Friends on 11/7/03 during an invitation only performance for the CMT program Crossroads. He would guest again to play it with Dave. and Lanois himself, at the 1/15/04 Dave Matthews and Friends show. On 1/6/18, during "A Concert for Island Relief" for aid to hurricane victims in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, TAB joined DMB along with Aaron Neville and Rashawn Ross (trumpet) for another special version of the Lanois song.

Watch The Maker on YouTube Trey Anastasio Band featuring Dave Matthews Band, Aaron Neville, and Hurray for the Riff Raff - "The Maker" - 1/6/18, New York, NY. Video by aerofan2007

Mike has played and sang the song twice, first in the middle of “The Other One” with Phil and Friends at Terrapin Crossroads on 7/17/16. He debuted the song later that year with his band on 11/20.

Last significant update: 11/4/23

(Lanois)
© Daniel Lanois Songs (ASCAP)

Oh, oh deep water
Black and cold like the night
I stand with arms wide open
I've run a twisted line
I'm a stranger
In the eyes of the maker

I could not see for the fog in my eyes
I could not feel for the fear in my life
And from across the great divide
In the distance I saw a light
Jean Baptiste
Walking to me with the maker

My body is bent and broken
By a long and dangerous sleep
I can't work the Fields of Abraham
And turn my head away
I'm not a stranger
In the hands of the maker

Brother John
Have you seen the homeless daughters
Standing there with broken wings
I have seen the flaming swords
There over east of Eden
Burning in the eyes of the maker
Burning in the eyes of the maker
Burning in the eyes of the maker
Burning in the eyes of the maker

Oh river rise from your sleep