Family Tradition
Hank Williams Jr. & Kid Rock Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴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

They get on me and want to 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 makes my predictions
So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition

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

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 ole slick's trying to give me friction
I said leave me alone, I'm singing all night long it's a family tradition

Lord, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam
And they both tried to kill me in nineteen-seventy-three
When that doctor asked me, "Son, how did you get in this condition?"
I said, "Hey sawbones, I'm just carrying on an ole family tradition"

So don't ask me, "Hank, why do you drink?"
Hank, why do roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Family Tradition" by Hank Williams Jr. & Kid Rock revolve around the idea of family bonds, specifically the pressures and expectations that come along with following in the footsteps of a famous family member or carrying on their legacy. Hank, the song's narrator, explains that while country music has always been a closely-knit community and that he is proud of his father's musical legacy, some of his own family members have disowned him because he has broken with tradition and pursued a different direction in his music.

Despite the criticism and judgment that he faces from others, Hank insists that he is simply carrying on an old family tradition of drinking, smoking, and singing all night long. He acknowledges that his lifestyle may be unhealthy and potentially dangerous, but he sees it as a way of honoring his family's legacy and continuing the traditions that have brought them together for generations. Ultimately, the song celebrates the power of music and family to bridge divides and bring people together, even in the face of adversity and criticism.

Line by Line Meaning

Country music singers, have always been a real close family,
Musicians in the country music genre have typically been very tight-knit, familial units.

But lately some of my kinfolks have disowned a few others and me.
However, recently some of my relatives have rejected me and a few others, possibly due to the changes I've made in my music style.

I guess it's because I kind of changed my direction.
I believe this may be due to my altered direction or approach in my music.

Lord I guess I went and broke their family tradition.
I suspect that my evolution as an artist has disturbed and disrupted the customary, traditional ways of my family members.

They get on me and want to know Hank why do you drink?
My relatives frequently criticize me and inquire about my excessive drinking habits.

Hank, why do you roll smoke?
They also question why I smoke marijuana.

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Additionally, they wonder why I choose to put my own written songs into action in my personal life.

Over and over everybody makes my predictions.
Everyone keeps telling me what they anticipate or expect from me with regards to my behavior, choices, and music.

So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition.
Therefore, if I do choose to get high on marijuana, I'm just doing what my kin has done before me.

I am very proud of my daddy's name
I hold great esteem for my father's reputation and legacy in music.

All though his kind of music and mine ain't exactly the same.
However, the type of music he made and the kind that I create are not entirely parallel.

Stop and think it over. Put yourself in my position.
Consider my perspective and circumstances and then analyze the situation further

If I get stoned and sing all night long it's a family tradition.
If I choose to use marijuana and then perform music for hours on end, this is simply a part of my family's way of life.

So don't ask me, Hank why do you drink?
Please, do not constantly demand to know why I drink alcohol to excess.

Hank, why do you roll smoke?
In the same manner, refrain from questioning why I choose to use marijuana.

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Similarly, don't inquire why I act out the lyrical content that I pen.

If I'm down in a honky-tonk some ole slick's trying to give me friction.
If I happen to be at a honky-tonk and someone tries to irritate or provoke me,

I said leave me alone I'm singing all night long it's a family tradition.
I will simply insist that they stop bothering me and instead focus on the music, which is an integral part of my family's tradition.

Lord I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam
I have had feelings for multiple women in my past, as well as for the alcoholic beverage known as Jim Beam.

And they both tried to kill me in 1973.
Both these loves led me to a near-fatal experience in the year 1973.

When that doctor asked me, "son how did you get in this condition?"
When the medical doctor inquired as to how I found myself in such a state,

I said, "hey sawbones, I'm just carrying on an ole family tradition."
I responded, sarcastically, that I was simply continuing on in my family's tradition of harmful behaviors and consequences.

Stop and think it over, try and put yourself in my unique position.
Take a moment to pause and truly empathize with my distinct life circumstances.

If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family tradition!
Therefore, if I choose to consume marijuana and follow it up by performing music for hours on end, this action merely serves to continue my family's traditional way of life.

Lyrics © BOCEPHUS MUSIC INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams, Jr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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