[Intro] E

[Verse 1] E A Country music singers have always been a real close family B7 E But lately, some of my kinfolks have disowned a few others and me A I guess it's because I kind of changed my direction B7 E Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition They get on me and want to know,

[Chorus] E A Hank why do you drink? Hank, why do you roll smoke? B7 Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? E A Over and over, everybody makes my predictions B7 E So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition

[Verse 2] E A I am very proud of my daddy's name B7 E Although his kind of music and mine ain't exactly the same A Stop and think it over, put yourself in my position B7 E If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family tradition E So don't ask me, Hank, why do you drink?

[Chorus] A Hank, why do you roll smoke? B7 Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? E A If I'm down in a honkytonk some ole slick's trying to give me friction B7 E I said leave me alone, I'm singing all night long, it's a family tradition

[Fiddle Solo] E A B7 E

[Lap Steel Solo] E A B7 E

[Verse 3] E A Lordy I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam B7 E And they both tried to kill me in nineteen seventy three A And when that doctor asked me, "Son how'd you get in this condition?" B7 E I said, "ahey sawbones, I'm just carrying on an ole family tradition" E So don't ask me, Hank, why do you drink?

[Chorus] A Hank, why do you roll smoke? B7 Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? E A Stop and think it over, try to put yourself in my unique position B7 E B7 E If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family tradition