OldiesButGoodies

Country

Merle Haggard – Wine Take Me Away

Merle Haggard – Wine Take Me Away Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Introduction:

Wine Take Me Away, a poignant country ballad recorded in 1972, stands as a testament to the songwriting prowess of American country music legend Merle Haggard. The song, which appeared on the album of the same name, was co-written by Haggard and another country music great, Tommy Collins. Produced by Fuzzy Owen, a longtime collaborator with Haggard, Wine Take Me Away quickly became a country radio hit, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. But its impact goes beyond chart success, becoming a signature song in Haggard’s live performances and a beloved classic among country music fans.

Merle Haggard, whose career spanned over five decades, is considered one of the most influential figures in country music history. Haggard’s music often explored themes of working-class struggles, patriotism, and the complexities of life. Wine Take Me Away delves into the universal theme of heartbreak, capturing the raw pain and yearning for escape that comes with a broken relationship.

The song’s melancholic tone is perfectly conveyed by Haggard’s signature baritone vocals. His voice, described as both powerful and nuanced, delivers the lyrics with a deep sincerity that resonates with listeners. The lyrics themselves are simple and direct, yet full of emotional weight. The narrator pleads with “wine” to take him away, a desperate plea for solace from the emotional turmoil he is experiencing. The repeated line “Take me where I won’t see the light of day” powerfully conveys the desire to escape reality and the depths of his despair.

Wine Take Me Away is more than just a song about heartbreak; it’s a song about the human desire to numb pain and find solace in whatever means available. This theme resonates deeply with many listeners who have grappled with their own struggles. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to Haggard’s ability to connect with listeners on a personal level, giving voice to emotions we have all experienced at some point in our lives.

While Wine Take Me Away was not Haggard’s biggest commercial success, it has become a beloved part of his musical legacy. It is a song that continues to be covered by other artists and requested by fans at concerts. Its simple yet powerful lyrics and Haggard’s heartfelt performance have ensured that Wine Take Me Away will remain a country music classic for years to come.

Video:

https://youtu.be/cWE4bvv2VUo?si=6C-lXhWEHZUoOVty

Lyrics:

Warm red wine you know that place where you take me some times
Where my caress have wings and fly right off my shoulder
Where I leave my cares behind and for a while find peace of mind
Help me friend of mine wine take me away.

Wine take me away where I can lose myself
Take me where I won’t even see the light of day
It’s my life and I wanna live it it’s my will and I wanna give it
Help me friend of mine wine take me away.

When my life becomes a grime and when I’m weary and tired
Then I’ll tell myself I need a short vacation
I gotta leave this lonely town and you’re the quickest way I found
Help me friend of mine wine take me away.

Wine take me away where I can lose myself
Take me where I won’t even see the light of day
It’s my life and I wanna live it it’s my will and I wanna give it
Help me friend of mine wine take me away.

Help me friend of mine wine take me away…

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

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