Ben & Noel Haggard & the Strangers – Heaven Was a Drink of Wine

Picture this: you’re sitting on a porch swing, the kind that creaks just right, with a sunset bleeding orange and pink across the sky. There’s a glass of something strong in your hand, and Merle Haggard’s Heaven Was a Drink of Wine is pouring out of an old radio. That’s the vibe of this song—a raw, soul-stirring moment where life’s highs and lows collide in a single, perfect sip. Written by Sanger D. Shafer and released in 1979 on Haggard’s Serving 190 Proof album, this track is pure country heartbreak, wrapped in a melody that feels like a warm, bittersweet hug.

What makes this song hit so hard? It’s the way it captures that fleeting escape we all chase—when a drink, a memory, or a fleeting moment feels like touching heaven itself. Merle’s voice, weathered and wise, tells the story of a man who’s been through the wringer, finding solace in the bottle but knowing it’s a fleeting kind of salvation. The lyrics are simple but cut deep: “Heaven was a drink of wine / And losin’ you was hell on earth.” It’s not just about love lost; it’s about the ache of trying to hold onto something good in a world that keeps slipping through your fingers.

There’s a story behind the song, too, one that feels like it was born in a smoky bar. Shafer wrote it with Haggard’s life in mind—Merle’s struggles with love, liquor, and the road all bleed into the track. You can almost see him in the studio, eyes closed, pouring every ounce of his soul into the microphone. And that steel guitar? It’s like a cry from the heart, weaving through the chords to remind you that pain and beauty are two sides of the same coin.

Why does this song still matter? Because it’s universal. Whether you’re nursing a broken heart or just craving a moment of peace, Heaven Was a Drink of Wine feels like it was written for you. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to call an old friend, crack open a bottle, and talk about the things that matter—or maybe just sit in silence and let the music say it all. Ever had a moment where a song felt like it knew you better than you know yourself? That’s what Merle does here.

So, next time you’re feeling a little lost, put this one on. Let it take you somewhere soft and sad and strangely hopeful. Because if heaven’s a drink of wine, this song is the glass it’s poured into.

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