Family Tradition
Williams Hank Jr Lyrics

Country music singers, have always been a real close family,
Country music artists have always been a closely-knit group.

But lately some of my kinfolks have disowned a few others and me.
Recently, some of my relatives have cut off ties with me and a few others.

I guess it's because I kind of changed my direction.
I'm not sure, but I think it's because I've taken a different path in life.

Lord I guess I went and broke their family tradition.
I suppose I've gone against their expectations and broken a long-standing family custom.

They get on me and want to know Hank why do you drink?
They give me a hard time and ask why I drink so much.

Hank, why do you roll smoke?
They also question why I smoke so many cigarettes.

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
They wonder why I have to emulate the lifestyle described in my music.

Over and over everybody makes my predictions.
People keep making assumptions about my behavior.

So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition.
Therefore, if I choose to get high on drugs, I'm simply conforming to an established family custom.

I am very proud of my daddy's name
I'm very proud of my father's legacy.

All though his kind of music and mine ain't exactly the same.
Although our music genres differ slightly.

Stop and think it over. Put yourself in my position.
Take a moment to contemplate and imagine what it feels like to be me.

If I get stoned and sing all night long it's a family tradition.
If I choose to get intoxicated and sing all night, it's something that's been going on in my family for generations.

So don't ask me, Hank why do you drink?
Therefore, don't bother questioning me about my drinking habits.

Hank, why do you roll smoke?
Or why I smoke.

If I'm down in a honky-tonk some ole slick's trying to give me friction.
If I'm out at a bar and someone's giving me trouble.

I said leave me alone I'm singing all night long it's a family tradition.
I usually say that I'm okay and to let me be, as I'm simply following a family tradition of singing and partying.

Lord I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam
I've had my fair share of relationships and drinking binges.

And they both tried to kill me in 1973.
And in 1973, both of them almost cost me my life.

When that doctor asked me, "son how did you get in this condition?"
When the doctor asked me how I ended up in such a terrible state.

I said, "hey sawbones, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition."
I joked that it's just something that runs in the family.

Stop and think it over, try and put yourself in my unique position.
Once again, I urge people to empathize with my situation.

If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family tradition!
It really is just a family tradition of partying and having a good time.