Dissociated Thoughts

2/7/22 - Family Traditions by Hank Jr.

7 February 2022

         Feb. 7 - my big brother's birthday. For a long time, I was jealous that he got to experience everything before I did. Even his birthday came in Feb. before mine does (mine's the 19th). But as kids, he let me tag along with him and his friends. I got into as much trouble as they did, and sometimes more. My family has always been a close one. Many other kids didn't have that and therefor couldn't understand the need I felt to take up for my big brother when he was getting bullied. Yeah, my brother is older, but he was always more of a pacifist while we were growing up where I was the one always looking for a fight or some other kind of excitement. I didn't like that people were bullying my family - so on more than one occasion I beat them up since he wouldn't.
         Adulthood separated that sibling closeness. He was done putting up with my shenanigans and I wasn't about to stop. And still, he was the first to do things: have a kid, get married, own his own house. Today I look back and think well, that's his right as the older sibling. Back then I couldn't see it though. And so, I sought out things he'd never do or try so I would have some "firsts" of my own. More shenanigans, more trouble - especially within the family. And time marched on - but I haven't missed a year of wishing him a happy birthday. Even those years he refused to talk to me. Somewhere along the way, our personalities switched a bit. He became more confrontational, and I became more reserved. That's the working of things I suppose.
         Nowadays, he drives me up a wall and I can only handle him in small doses. But he's my brother so I set aside my differences a couple times a year for the good of the family. And hey, when asked while at these family functions, "Why do ya drink?" The answer is easy. It's the best way to dull the annoyingness of my brother. And it's in my blood to do so (that's another story). And getting stoned? Well, that's one helluva way to make time around the big bro more livable. And so, I guess I started my own Family Traditions...

Happy birthday big bro. This one's for you.


Family Traditions - Hank WIlliams Jr. ▼

Country music singers
have always been a real close family
but lately some of my kin folks
have disowned a few others and me
i guess it's because
i kinda changed my direction
i guess i went and broke the family tradition

they get on me wanna 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 made my prediction
so if i get stoned
I'm just carryin'
on an old family tradition

I am very proud
of my daddy's name
although his kinda 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

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 ol' slicks tryin to give me corrections
I'll say leave me alone
I'm singin all night long
it's a family tradition

Lordy, I have loved some ladies
and I have loved Jim Beam
and they both tried to kill me
in 1973
when that doctor asked me
Son how did you get in this condition
I said hey sawbones I'm just carryin on
an old 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 you wrote?
Stop and think it over
Try and put yourself in my unique position
If I get stoned and sing all night long
It's a family tradition!