Country music singers are a really close family
but lately some of my kin folks have disowned a few otha's and me
i guess its because i kinda changed my direction
Lord, i guess i went and broke their 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 daddy's 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 friction
I say leave me alone I'm singin all night long it's a family tradition

Lord 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 that 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 just a family tradition!