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
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
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

(fiddle - steel guitar)

Lordy, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam
And they both tried to kill me in 1973
And 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