Cats in the Cradle

by Harry Chapin







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

He was talking before I knew it and as he grew

He said, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad, 

You know I'm gonna be like you"





And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When you comin home Dad, I don't know when, 

But we'll get together then, Son

You know we'll have a good time then.



My son turned ten just the other day

He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play

can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today, 

I've got a lot to do" He said "Thats okay" 

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed 

And said "I'm gonna be like him, yeah

You know I'm going to be like him"





And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When you comin home, Dad, I dont know when, 

But we'll get together then, Son

You know we'll have a good time then.



He came home 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 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?"





And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When you comin home, Son, I dont know when, 

But we'll get together then, Dad

You know we'll have a good time then.



I've long since retired, my son's moved away

I called him up just the other day

I said "Id like to see you if you don't mind"

He said "Id love to Dad, if I could find the time.

You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.

But Its sure nice talking to you, Dad, 

Its been sure nice talking to you........"

And as I hung up the phone it had occurred to me

He'd grown up just like me, yeah

My boy was just like me..............





And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When you comin home, Son, I dont know when, 

But we'll get together then, Dad

you know we'll have a good time then.