Family Tradition Lyrics

Hank Williams, Jr.

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 it's 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

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?
If I'm down in a Honky-Tonk
Some ol' slicks
tryin to give me friction
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