Country music singers Have always been a real close family But lately some of my kin folks 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 wanna 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 made my prediction So if i get stoned I'm just carryin' On an old family tradition I am very proud Of my daddys name Although his kinda 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 ol' slicks tryin to give me friction I'll 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 kill me In 1973 When that doctor asked me Son how did 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 you wrote? Stop and think it over Try and put yourself in my unique position If I get stoned and sing all night long It's a family tradition!