Intro: ( B )  ( B )  ( B )  ( B )  
 
B
Country music singers 
                   E
have always been a real close family 
    F#
but lately some of my kin folks 
                               B
have disowned a few otha's and me 

I guess its because 
        E
I kinda changed my direction 
F#                                             B
Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition 
 
Tell me Hank 
B
Why do you drink? 
     E
Hank why do you roll smoke? 
F#                                       B
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? 

Over and over 
     E
Everybody made my prediction 
      F#
So if I get stoned 

I'm just carryin' 
                     B
on an old family tradition 
B
 I am very proud 
E
 of my daddys name 
  F#
although his kinda music 
                           B
and mine ain't exactly the same 

stop and think it over 
        E
put your self in my position 
   F#
if I get stoned and sing all night long 
                  B
it's a family tradition 
 
Won't you tell me Hank 
B
Why do you drink? 
     E
Hank why do you roll smoke? 
F#                                         B
Why must you live out the songs your daddy wrote? 

Over and over 
         E
Some old slick's tryin' to give me friction 
            F#
I say leave me alone 

I'm just carryin' 
                     B
on an old family tradition 
 
Steel Guitar Solo 
       B
Lordy, I have loved some ladies 
    E
and I have loved Jim Beam 
    F#
and they both tried to kill me 
      B
in 1973 

when that doctor asked me 
    E
Son how did you get in this condition 
       F#         
I said hey sawbones I'm just carryin on 
                  B
an old family tradition 
 
So don't ask me Hank 

why do you drink? 
E
why do you roll smoke? 
F#                                       B
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? 

Stop and think it over 
        E
Put your self in my unique position 
   F#
If I get stoned and sing all night long 
                  B
It's a family tradition 
   F#
If I get stoned and sing all night long 
                  B
It's a family tradition