The song lyrics tell the story of a man in Chicago, reminiscing about Tennessee and drowning his sorrows in wine after his heartbreak from a lost love from Nashville who left for Florida on a train.

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Meaning of "Little Old Wine Drinker" by Lefty Frizzell


The lyrics of "Little Old Wine Drinker" highlight themes of heartbreak, loss, and seeking solace through alcohol and nostalgia. The protagonist is depicted as a man stuck in his pain, trying to forget his lost love but finding himself unable to move on. The reference to Tennessee and California, along with the imagery of sitting in a honky-tonk bar in Chicago, portrays a sense of displacement and longing for a simpler, happier time. The repetition of the chorus "a little ole wine drinker me" emphasizes the character's resignation to his situation and his coping mechanism of alcohol to deal with his emotions. Overall, the lyrics delve into the universal experience of heartache and the struggle to find healing and closure after a significant loss.