“Family Tradition”

Hank Williams, Jr.

ALBUM: Family Tradition

1979

CHART POSITION: Number 4 on the US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)

SONGWRITER: Hank Williams Jr.

[Verse 1]

Country music singers have always been a real close family

But lately, some of my kinfolks have disowned a few others and me

I guess it’s because I kind of changed my direction

Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition

[Chorus 1]

They get on me and want to know, Hank why do you drink? (to get drunk)

Hank, why do you roll smoke? (to get stoned)

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? (to get laid)

Over and over, everybody makes my predictions

So if I get stoned, I’m just carrying on an old family tradition

[Verse 2]

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

[Chorus 2]

So don’t ask me, Hank, why do you drink? (to get drunk)

Hank, why do you roll smoke? (to get stoned)

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? (to get laid)

If I’m down in a honky-tonk some ole slick’s trying to give me friction

I said leave me alone, I’m singing all night long, it’s a family tradition

[Verse 3]

Lord 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’d you get in this condition?”

I said, “a-hey sawbones, I’m just carrying on an ole family tradition“

[Chorus 3]

So don’t ask me, Hank, why do you drink? (to get drunk)

Hank, Why do you roll smoke? (to get stoned)

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? (to get laid)

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