Family Tradition
Kid Rock and Hank Jr. Lyrics

Country music singers, have always been a real close family,
In the world of country music, there is a strong sense of community and family among the singers.

But lately some of my kinfolks have disowned a few others and me.
However, in recent times, some of my relatives in the music industry have broken away from their familial bonds with me and others.

I guess it's because I kind of changed my direction.
This is likely because of my shift in musical style and direction, which is not in line with what they consider traditional country music.

Lord I guess I went and broke their family tradition.
My new direction and style have caused me to go against their old way of making country music, and I have broken away from their family tradition.

They get on me and want to know Hank why do you drink?
People often question why I drink so much alcohol.

Hank, why do you roll smoke?
They also wonder why I smoke so much.

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
They question why I feel the need to live out the lyrics of the songs that I have written and performed.

Over and over everybody makes my predictions.
People make assumptions about my life choices and my tendency to drink and smoke excessively, despite the fact that they do not understand my motivations for doing so.

So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition.
I continue to drink and smoke excessively despite the criticism because it is a long-standing tradition in my family, and it is something that I have grown up around and learned to accept as normal.

I am very proud of my daddy's name
I am proud of the reputation and legacy that my father has created in the music industry.

All though his kind of music and mine ain't exactly the same.
However, our musical styles and directions are not exactly alike.

Stop and think it over. Put yourself in my position.
Before you judge me for my lifestyle and the choices I make, take a moment to consider the experiences and life I have led up to this point.

If I get stoned and sing all night long it's a family tradition.
My tendency to drink and smoke excessively and perform throughout the night is considered a family tradition that I am carrying on.

So don't ask me, Hank why do you drink?
Stop questioning me about why I drink so much alcohol.

Hank, why do you roll smoke?
Stop asking me why I smoke so much.

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Quit analyzing me on why I feel the need to live the songs I’ve written.

If I'm down in a honky-tonk some ole slick's trying to give me friction.
If I am at a bar and someone tries to start trouble with me or criticize my lifestyle, which happens often, as I am a famous singer.

I said leave me alone I'm singing all night long it's a family tradition.
I tell them to leave me be and continue to perform and drink, as this is a customary family tradition of mine.

Lord I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam
I have had love affairs with women and with the whiskey Jim Beam.

And they both tried to kill me in 1973.
Both my excessive drinking and my love affairs with women have put me in dangerous situations, as was the case in the year 1973.

When that doctor asked me, 'son how did you get in this condition?'
When the doctor asked me how I ended up in a sickly and unhealthy condition.

I said, 'hey sawbones, I'm just carrying on an ole family tradition.'
I responded to the doctor by saying that I am just doing what my family has always done and continuing the tradition of excessive drinking and smoking.

Stop and think it over, try and put yourself in my unique position.
Again, I urge you to empathize and think objectively about why I live the way I do before you judge me.

If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family tradition!
I reaffirm that I will continue to do what I have always done, and what is considered normal in my family, which includes drinking, smoking, and performing throughout the night.