Written by Merle Haggard

(As performed by George Jones)



Once I lived a life of wine and roses

I drank a lot back then for one concern

Success for me lay just around the corner

I thought my social friend would help me make the turn



But now I'm paying for the days of wine and roses

A victim of the drunken life I chose

Now all my social friends look down their noses

For I kept the wine and threw away the rose



I stood by and watched the bottle take control of me

The turn I made was not the one I planned

And I watched my social standings slip away from me

As I slowly watched the bottle take command



And now I'm paying for the days of wine and roses

A victim of the drunken life I chose

Now all my social friends look down their noses

For I kept the wine and through away the rose