Lyrics:

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