Country music singers

have always been a real close family

but lately some of my kin folks

have disowned a few others and me

i guess its because

i kinda changed my direction

i guess i went and broke the family tradition



they get on me wanna know Hank

why do you drink?

(Hank) why do you roll smoke?

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

over and over

everybody made my prediction

so if i get stoned

I'm just carryin'

on an old family tradition



I am very proud

of my daddys name

although his kinda music

and mine ain't exactly the same

stop and think it over

put yourself in my position

if i get stoned and sing all night long

it's a family tradition



Don't ask me Hank

why do you drink?

(Hank) why do you roll smoke?

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

If I'm down in a Honky-Tonk

Some ol' slicks tryin to give me corrections

I'll say leave me alone

I'm singin all night long

it's a family tradition



Lordy, I have loved some ladies

and I have loved Jim Beam

and they both tried to kill me

in 1973

when that doctor asked me

Son how did you get in this condition

I said hey sawbones I'm just carryin on

an old family tradition



So don't ask me Hank

why do you drink?

(Hank) why do you roll smoke?

Why must you live out the songs you wrote?

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

If I get stoned and sing all night long

It's a family tradition!