Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine
Merle Haggard · Serving 190 Proof [1979]
Asked me about my drinking ways
Every question that he asked me
All related back on to my childhood days
But if the truth was known
I never took the drinking long, long as she was mine
But when she left me I went to hell
Heaven was a drink of wine
That good doctor said, "Look at all
These ink spots and tell me what you see
Could I help it if they all look like
Big ol' broken hearts to me?"
Ah, my friends in Cane'll tell you
Ol' Haggard ain't a drinking kind
But when she left me I went to hell
And heaven was a drink of wine
Get back, get back
Get on back and leave me alone
Can't you see that you can't help
A man that's just for gone
Hey, good doctor, I've got something
You can't find in my mind
When she left me I went to hell
Heaven was a drink of wine
Hey, good doctor
Heaven was a drink of wine
Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine
Merle Haggard's 'Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine' stands as a poignant reflection on the enduring solace found in alcohol, a recurring motif throughout his extensive discography. Released on the 1979 album Serving 190 Proof, the track captures the artist's signature ability to blend personal hardship with the gritty realism of country music. Haggard, a defining voice of the Bakersfield sound, often explored themes of redemption and escape, making this recording a quintessential example of his mature work. The song resonates with listeners familiar with the emotional weight of his catalog, offering a moment of introspection without relying on complex arrangements. It remains a testament to his skill in crafting narratives that feel both intimate and universally relatable within the genre.