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