Cat's In The Cradle (LP Version) by Harry Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, an' bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
An' he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, an' as he grew
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad, you know, I'm gonna be like you"

An' the cat's in the cradle, an' the silver spoon
Little boy blue, an' 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" an' then he walked away
But his smile never dimmed, said
"I'm gonna be like him, yeah" You know, I'm gonna be like him

An' the cat's in the cradle, an' the silver spoon
Little boy blue, an' 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

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, an' 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?"

An' the cat's in the cradle, an' the silver spoon
Little boy blue, an' the man in the moon
When you comin' home, dad? I don't know when
But we'll get together then dad, you know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired an' 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, an' the kid's got the flu
But it's sure nice talkin' to you, dad, it's been sure nice talkin' to you"
An' as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me, my boy, was just like me

An' the cat's in the cradle, an' the silver spoon
Little boy blue, an' the man in the moon
When you comin' home, dad? I don't know when
But we'll get together then dad we're gonna have a good time then

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Lyrics provided by Gracenote