The Civil Wars – Poison & Wine Meaning

In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars. As of this writing, Poison & Wine is ranked 154.

Meaning of Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars’s “Poison & Wine” is about the tangled push and pull of loving someone who both hurts you and heals you, exploring how love can be a contradiction that’s impossible to walk away from.

This song feels slow and heavy, like a rainy day that won’t end. It talks about love being both good and bad at the same time, making everything confusing.

When we listen to the chorus, “I don’t love you, but I always will,” it’s like hearing someone argue with their own heart—trying to let go but holding on even tighter. The verses spill secrets: one person hides things, the other knows too much; words can sting or soothe, sometimes in the same breath. We realize that loving someone isn’t always simple—it can twist us up inside, make us say things we don’t mean, yet somehow keep us coming back for more.

🎵 Stay in the loop with new music releases
Sign up and have the latest releases and meanings sent right to your inbox.
Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

The song captures that stubborn ache—the kind where you almost wish you could quit but simply can’t. Love isn’t easy or neat here; it’s messy, honest, and real.

Cat Stevens – Oh Very Young

Singer/Songwriter

José González – Heartbeats

Singer/Songwriter

Dave Van Ronk – Hang Me, Oh Hang Me

Singer/Songwriter

Patty Griffin – Long Ride Home

Singer/Songwriter