The band released three full-length albums and two CD singles on Mammoth Records. They also released an EP "Dillon Fence" on their own label, Nocar. In 2004, MoRisen released their greatest hits CD, which included an EP of new material.
Singer/songwriter Greg Humphreys' songs have been covered by bands like Hootie and the Blowfish, who used to open for them, and Letters to Cleo.
In December, 2000 they regrouped for a 3-date tour and recorded a double-CD album Live at the Cat's Cradle. They also did summer reunion tours in 2004 and 2005 to support the greatest hits album.
Sad Inheritance
Dillon Fence Lyrics
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Just looking after dark
For you. Stepchild
I went down to the beach
I wasn't out of reach
Of you. Stepchild
They stole it all for the cherry tree
But they set free
Sad Inheritance
I went to our old school
That teacher was so cruel
To you. Stepchild
He taught you the wrong thing
What future did it bring
To you. Stepchild
Teacher doesn't know your name
He can't blame
The Hate you inherited
Sad Inheritance
You deserve the wealth of a word
You deserve the wealth of a word
And they say that's absurd
But they don't need it, do they?
I stared down at your grave
What a nice thing we all gave
To you. Stepchild
They laid you in the ground
Their theory trickled down
To you. Stepchild
They drove you down to a dirty death
You bequeath
The Hate you inherited
Sad Inheritance
The song "Sad Inheritance" by Dillon Fence, paints a picture of a lost and forgotten stepchild. The singer ran down to the park and the beach, searching for the stepchild who appears to be absent from his life. The stepchild is described as having a "Sad Inheritance", which the singer believes is the result of the environment the stepchild grew up in. The lyrics go on to suggest that the stepchild had very little chance in life because of the actions and attitudes of adults around him, including a cruel teacher at school.
The song describes a life filled with sadness and despair for the stepchild who was dealt a bad hand in life. The chorus, "You deserve the wealth of a word / And they say that's absurd / But they don't need it, do they?" emphasizes the importance of acknowledgement and recognition, but at the same time, it questions the need to be validated by others. The song ends on a somber note, with a reference to the stepchild's death and the inheritance of hate that was passed down to him.
Overall, "Sad Inheritance" is a poignant and reflective song that explores the negative impact of neglect and societal indifference on the life of a vulnerable child.
Line by Line Meaning
I ran down to the park
I hurriedly went to the park
Just looking after dark
I was searching for something or someone at night
For you. Stepchild
I was looking for you, someone who's not accepted as a member of the family
I went down to the beach
I visited the seashore
I wasn't out of reach
I still had you in my thoughts
Of you. Stepchild
Of someone who's not accepted as a member of the family
They stole it all for the cherry tree
Someone took all that you had for something that didn't matter
But they set free
But they released
The Hate you inherited
The hate that you received from others
Sad Inheritance
A bitter gift that you received from your family
I went to our old school
I visited the school we used to attend
That teacher was so cruel
That teacher was very mean to you
To you. Stepchild
To someone who's not accepted as a member of the family
He taught you the wrong thing
He gave you the wrong education
What future did it bring
What benefits did it ultimately bring you?
To you. Stepchild
To someone who's not accepted as a member of the family
Teacher doesn't know your name
The teacher didn't even bother to know your name
He can't blame
He can't accuse
The Hate you inherited
The hate that you received from others
Sad Inheritance
A bitter gift that you received from your family
You deserve the wealth of a word
You are worthy of a rich and fulfilling life
You deserve the wealth of a word
You deserve meaningful and fulfilling experiences
And they say that's absurd
But others don't think you're worthy of such things
But they don't need it, do they?
But they don't understand its true value
I stared down at your grave
I gazed down at your resting place
What a nice thing we all gave
What a wonderful gift we gave you
To you. Stepchild
To someone who's not accepted as a member of the family
They laid you in the ground
They buried you
Their theory trickled down
Their beliefs influenced your life
To you. Stepchild
To someone who's not accepted as a member of the family
They drove you down to a dirty death
They led you to a sad and painful end
You bequeath
You left behind
The Hate you inherited
The hate that you received from others
Sad Inheritance
A bitter gift that you received from your family
Writer(s): Alan Kent Alphin
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.