Song Meaning

This brief verse frames wine as a deceptive force, a true "infidel" that has stolen the narrator's "Robe of Honour." The imagery suggests a loss of integrity or status, directly attributed to the allure and consumption of wine. It’s a stark accusation, painting wine not as a simple pleasure but as a thief of virtue. The central tension lies in this perceived betrayal. The narrator acknowledges wine's powerful hold, admitting it has "robbed" them, yet simultaneously expresses a profound curiosity about the exchange. This isn't just about personal loss; it’s a broader contemplation of value and desire. The brilliance here is in the narrator's questioning of the vintners themselves. They wonder what the sellers "buy" with their profits, posing a rhetorical question that highlights the perceived disproportionate value. The "stuff they sell" is so potent, so capable of causing ruin, that the narrator can't fathom what earthly gain could possibly compare to the preciousness of what's lost. Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they tap into a universal theme of temptation and consequence. The specific accusation against wine—that it steals honor—is amplified by the narrator's bewildered inquiry into the motivations of those who profit from such a destructive force. It leaves the listener pondering the true cost of indulgence.