Country

Family Tradition Chords

Hank Williams Jr. Beginner Key of G 3 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D

Family Tradition Chords – Guitar

Hank Williams Jr.’s outlaw country anthem about carrying on the family legacy. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with a driving, confident strum. This is a rowdy country anthem — don’t be shy with the dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Country music singers have always been a real close family

C

But lately some of my kinfolk have disowned a few others and me

D

I guess it’s because I kinda changed my direction

G

Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 2

G

So don’t ask me, Hank, how come you drink

C

Hank, how come you roll smoke

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote

D

Lord, I’m just carryin’ on

G

An old family tradition

Verse 3

G

I am very proud of my daddy’s name

C

Although his kind of music and mine ain’t exactly the same

D

Stop and think it over, put yourself in my unique position

G

If I get stoned and sing all night long

It’s a family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 4

G

Lord, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam

C

And they both tried to kill me in nineteen-seventy-three

D

When that doctor asked me, “Son, how’d you get in this condition?”

G

I said, ”Hey, sawbones, I’m just carryin’ on

An old family tradition”

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Practice tip: Just three chords — G, C, D. The timing follows a talking/singing style, so don’t worry about hitting every change exactly on beat. Let the lyrics lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Family Tradition"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Family Tradition" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Family Tradition" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Family Tradition"?

It was written by Hank Williams Jr., and released in 1979.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D

Family Tradition Chords – Ukulele

Hank Williams Jr.’s outlaw country anthem about carrying on the family legacy. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with a driving, confident strum. This is a rowdy country anthem — don’t be shy with the dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Country music singers have always been a real close family

C

But lately some of my kinfolk have disowned a few others and me

D

I guess it’s because I kinda changed my direction

G

Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 2

G

So don’t ask me, Hank, how come you drink

C

Hank, how come you roll smoke

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote

D

Lord, I’m just carryin’ on

G

An old family tradition

Verse 3

G

I am very proud of my daddy’s name

C

Although his kind of music and mine ain’t exactly the same

D

Stop and think it over, put yourself in my unique position

G

If I get stoned and sing all night long

It’s a family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 4

G

Lord, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam

C

And they both tried to kill me in nineteen-seventy-three

D

When that doctor asked me, “Son, how’d you get in this condition?”

G

I said, ”Hey, sawbones, I’m just carryin’ on

An old family tradition”

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Practice tip: Just three chords — G, C, D. The timing follows a talking/singing style, so don’t worry about hitting every change exactly on beat. Let the lyrics lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Family Tradition"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Family Tradition" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Family Tradition" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Family Tradition"?

It was written by Hank Williams Jr., and released in 1979.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D

Family Tradition Chords – Piano

Hank Williams Jr.’s outlaw country anthem about carrying on the family legacy. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with a driving, confident strum. This is a rowdy country anthem — don’t be shy with the dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Country music singers have always been a real close family

C

But lately some of my kinfolk have disowned a few others and me

D

I guess it’s because I kinda changed my direction

G

Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 2

G

So don’t ask me, Hank, how come you drink

C

Hank, how come you roll smoke

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote

D

Lord, I’m just carryin’ on

G

An old family tradition

Verse 3

G

I am very proud of my daddy’s name

C

Although his kind of music and mine ain’t exactly the same

D

Stop and think it over, put yourself in my unique position

G

If I get stoned and sing all night long

It’s a family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 4

G

Lord, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam

C

And they both tried to kill me in nineteen-seventy-three

D

When that doctor asked me, “Son, how’d you get in this condition?”

G

I said, ”Hey, sawbones, I’m just carryin’ on

An old family tradition”

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Practice tip: Just three chords — G, C, D. The timing follows a talking/singing style, so don’t worry about hitting every change exactly on beat. Let the lyrics lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Family Tradition"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Family Tradition" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Family Tradition" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Family Tradition"?

It was written by Hank Williams Jr., and released in 1979.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D

Family Tradition Chords – Banjo

Hank Williams Jr.’s outlaw country anthem about carrying on the family legacy. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with a driving, confident strum. This is a rowdy country anthem — don’t be shy with the dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Country music singers have always been a real close family

C

But lately some of my kinfolk have disowned a few others and me

D

I guess it’s because I kinda changed my direction

G

Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 2

G

So don’t ask me, Hank, how come you drink

C

Hank, how come you roll smoke

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote

D

Lord, I’m just carryin’ on

G

An old family tradition

Verse 3

G

I am very proud of my daddy’s name

C

Although his kind of music and mine ain’t exactly the same

D

Stop and think it over, put yourself in my unique position

G

If I get stoned and sing all night long

It’s a family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 4

G

Lord, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam

C

And they both tried to kill me in nineteen-seventy-three

D

When that doctor asked me, “Son, how’d you get in this condition?”

G

I said, ”Hey, sawbones, I’m just carryin’ on

An old family tradition”

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Practice tip: Just three chords — G, C, D. The timing follows a talking/singing style, so don’t worry about hitting every change exactly on beat. Let the lyrics lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Family Tradition"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Family Tradition" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Family Tradition" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Family Tradition"?

It was written by Hank Williams Jr., and released in 1979.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D

Family Tradition Chords – Mandolin

Hank Williams Jr.’s outlaw country anthem about carrying on the family legacy. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with a driving, confident strum. This is a rowdy country anthem — don’t be shy with the dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Country music singers have always been a real close family

C

But lately some of my kinfolk have disowned a few others and me

D

I guess it’s because I kinda changed my direction

G

Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 2

G

So don’t ask me, Hank, how come you drink

C

Hank, how come you roll smoke

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote

D

Lord, I’m just carryin’ on

G

An old family tradition

Verse 3

G

I am very proud of my daddy’s name

C

Although his kind of music and mine ain’t exactly the same

D

Stop and think it over, put yourself in my unique position

G

If I get stoned and sing all night long

It’s a family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 4

G

Lord, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam

C

And they both tried to kill me in nineteen-seventy-three

D

When that doctor asked me, “Son, how’d you get in this condition?”

G

I said, ”Hey, sawbones, I’m just carryin’ on

An old family tradition”

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Practice tip: Just three chords — G, C, D. The timing follows a talking/singing style, so don’t worry about hitting every change exactly on beat. Let the lyrics lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Family Tradition"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Family Tradition" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Family Tradition" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Family Tradition"?

It was written by Hank Williams Jr., and released in 1979.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D

Family Tradition Chords – Harmonica

Hank Williams Jr.’s outlaw country anthem about carrying on the family legacy. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Country Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with a driving, confident strum. This is a rowdy country anthem — don’t be shy with the dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Country music singers have always been a real close family

C

But lately some of my kinfolk have disowned a few others and me

D

I guess it’s because I kinda changed my direction

G

Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 2

G

So don’t ask me, Hank, how come you drink

C

Hank, how come you roll smoke

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote

D

Lord, I’m just carryin’ on

G

An old family tradition

Verse 3

G

I am very proud of my daddy’s name

C

Although his kind of music and mine ain’t exactly the same

D

Stop and think it over, put yourself in my unique position

G

If I get stoned and sing all night long

It’s a family tradition

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Verse 4

G

Lord, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam

C

And they both tried to kill me in nineteen-seventy-three

D

When that doctor asked me, “Son, how’d you get in this condition?”

G

I said, ”Hey, sawbones, I’m just carryin’ on

An old family tradition”

Chorus

G

They get on me, wanna know, Hank

Why do you drink?

C

Hank, why do you roll smoke?

D

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

G

Stop and think it over

Try and put yourself in my unique position

C

If I get stoned and sing all night long

D G

It’s a family tradition

Practice tip: Just three chords — G, C, D. The timing follows a talking/singing style, so don’t worry about hitting every change exactly on beat. Let the lyrics lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Family Tradition"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: G, C and D.

Is "Family Tradition" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Family Tradition" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Family Tradition"?

It was written by Hank Williams Jr., and released in 1979.