(E)Country music singers have always been a (A)real close family
But(B7) lately some of my kinfolk have disowned a few others and(E) me
I guess it's because I kinda(A) changed my direction
Lord,(B7)I guess I went and broke their family (E)tradition
C H O R U S
They get on me, wanna know: "Hank.."
(E)Why do you drink? Hank(A)Why do you roll smoke?
(B7)Why must you live out the songs that you(E) wrote?
Over and over - everybody(A)made my prediction
(B7)so if I get stoned, I'm just carryin' on and old family (E)tradition.
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(E)I am very proud of my daddy's(A) name
(B7)Although his kind of music and mine ain't exactly the(E) same
Stop and think it over - (A) put yourself in my position
(B7)If I get stoned and sing all night long it's a family (E)tradition
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CHORUS 2
Don't ask me: "Hank..."
(E)Why do you drink? Hank(A)Why do you roll smoke?
(B7)Why must you live out the songs that you(E) wrote?
If I'm down in a honky tonk, some ol(A) slick's tryin' to gimme friction
I says(B7) "Leave me alone, I'm singin' all night long it's a family (E)tradition"
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Lead SOLO
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(E)Lordy, I have loved some ladies, and I have loved(A) Jim Bean
(B7)They both tried to kill me in nineteen seventy-(E)three
When that doctor asked me "Son, how'dja get in this(A) condition?"
I says(B7) "Hey Sawbones, I'm just a-carryin' on the old family (E)tradition."
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CHORUS 3
So don't ask me: "Hank..."
(E)Why do you drink? Hank(A)Why do you roll smoke?
(B7)Why must you live out the songs that you(E) wrote?
Stop and think it over - try to put yourself in my unique(A)position
(B7)If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family (E)tradition.