Country music singers Have always been a real close family But lately some of my kinfolk Have disowned a few others and me I guess it's because I kinda changed my direction And Lord, I guess I went And broke their family tradition They get on me want to 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 met 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 kind of 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 old slicks trying to give my friction I 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 k** me in 1973 When my doctor asked me "Son, how'd 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 to put yourself in my unique position If I get stoned and sing all night long It's a family tradition