Cat's In The Cradle  



       Harry Chapin 






       My 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 going to be like you, Dad.

       You know I'm going to be like you."




       And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, 

       Little Boy Blue and the Man in the Moon.

       "When can we play, Dad?" "I don't know when,

       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, now come on let's play.

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

       I've got a lot to do." He said, "That's OK."

       And he walked away and he smiled and he said

       "You know I'm going to be like you, Dad,

       You know I'm going to be like you."




       And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, 

       Little Boy Blue and the Man in the Moon,

       "When can we play, Dad?" "I don't know when,

       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, won't you sit for a while?"

       He shook his head and said with a smile,

       "What I 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 a silver spoon,

       Little Boy Blue and the Man in the Moon,

       "When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,

       But we'll get together then.

       You know we'll have a good time then."




       I've long since retired and 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 real nice talking to you."


 

       And as I hung up the phone it occured to me,

       He'd grown up just like me.

       My boy was just like me.


 

       And the cat's in the cradle and a silver spoon,

       Little Boy Blue and the Man in the Moon,

       "When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,

       But we'll get together then.

       You know we'll have a good time then."