Cat’s In The Cradle

Cat’s In The Cradle
by Harry Chapin & Sandy Chapin
© 1974 Story Songs, Ltd. (ASCAP)

My child arrived just the other day
Came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk when I was away
And he was talking ‘fore 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 cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home?”
“I don’t know when.
We’ll get together then, Son.
We’re gonna have a good time then.”

Well 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 as he walked away
His smile never dimmed
He 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 coming home?”
“I don’t know when.
We’ll get together then, Son.
We’re gonna have a good time then.”

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 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 coming home?”
“I don’t know when.
We’ll get together then, Son.
We’re gonna have a good time then.”

Well I’ve long since retired
My son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day.
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.
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.”
And as he 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 coming home?”
“I don’t know when.
We’ll get together then, Dad.
We’re gonna have a good time then.”

This song appears on Tom Chapin's Join The Jubilee CD.

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