Lyrics of
Lilac Wine

Lilac Wine was composed by James Shelton in 1950. The song is a melancholic ballad that speaks of the pain of unrequited love through the metaphor of drinking lilac wine to forget. It has been covered by various artists over the years, including Nina Simone on her album Wild Is the Wind (1966).

I lost myself on a cool damp night
Gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be what I want to be
When I think more than I want to think
Do things I never should do
I drink much more than I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you


Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
Listen to me I cannot see clearly
Isn't that she coming to me nearly here?

Lilac wine is sweet and heady, where's my love?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, where's my love
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Isnt that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?

Lilac wine, I feel unready, for my love
I feel unready for my love