Harry Chapin
Cat’s in the Cradle
[Verse 1]
A child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it
And as he grew he'd say, I'm going to be like you dad
You know I'm going to be like you

[Chorus]
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home dad? I don't know when
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then

[Verse 2]
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, Thanks for the ball come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw? I said, Not today
I got a lot to do. He said, That's okay
He walked away but his smile never dimmed
He said, I'm going to be like him, yeah, you know I'm going to be like him

[Chorus]
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home dad? I don't know when
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then
[Verse 3]
Well he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
Son I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while
He shook his head and then he said with a smile
What I'd really like dad is to borrow the car keys
See you later can I have them please

[Chorus]
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home dad? I don't know when
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then

[Verse 4]
I've long since retired my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
He said, I'd love to dad if I could find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you dad
It's been sure nice talking to you

[Outro]
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me, my boy was just like me