Cat's in the Cradle Lyrics
(Harry Chapin - Sandy Chapin)
© '74 Story Songs, ASCAP
-Solo-
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 talkin', for I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say, I'm gonna be like you, Dad, you know, I'm gonna be like you
And the cat's 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, 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, let's play
Can you teach me to throw, I said, not today, I got a lot to do, he said, that's okay
And he walked away but his smile never did
It said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah, you know, I'm gonna be like him
And the cat's 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
We'll get together then, you know, we'll have a good time then
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 awhile
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 cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin' home, Son, I don't know when
But we'll get together then, Dad, you know, we'll have a good time then
-Solo-
Now I've retired, my son 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 can find the time
My new job to hassle and the kids got the flu, but it's nice talkin' to you, Dad
It's sure nice talkin' to you
As I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me, my boy was just like me
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin' home, Son, I don't know when
But we'll get together then, Dad, you're gonna have a good time then
-Solo-
