A                      C
My child arrived just the other day

   D                        A
He came to the world in the usual way

               A                   C
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay

   D                       A
He learned to walk while I was away

           G               G/F#         Em7
And he was talking 'fore I knew it and as he grew

Em/D          C     Em       A
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you Dad

      C            Em      A
You know I'm gonna be like you"


        A                           G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon

C                         D
Little boy blue and the man in the moon

A                           G
When you comin' home dad, I don't know when

    C            Em       A
But we'll get together then

    C                 Em/B      A
You know we'll have a good time then


   A                     C
My son turned ten just the other day

         D                            A
He said "Thanks for the ball dad come on let's play.

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

         D                      A
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's okay."

          G                 G/F#        Em7
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
 
Em/D           C     Em/B    A
It said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah."

    C              Em/B    A
You know I'm gonna be like him.


        A                           G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon

C                         D
Little boy blue and the man in the moon

A                           G
When you comin' home dad, I don't know when

    C            Em       A
But we'll get together then 

    C                 Em/B      A
You know we'll have a good time then


         A                          C
Well, he came from college just the other day

   D                      A
So much like a man I just had to say,

                               C
"Son, I'm proud of you can you sit for a while"

    D                    A
He shook his head and he said with a smile,

          G            G/F#        Em/7        Em/D
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys.

C       Em           A  
See you later, can I have them please?"


        A                           G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon

C                         D
Little boy blue and the man in the moon

A                           G
When you comin' home son, I don't know when

    C            Em       A
But we'll get together then Dad

    C                 Em/B      A
You know we'll have a good time then


F - G - Em - A
F - G - Em - A

     A                         C
I've long since retired and my son's moved away

D                        A
I called him up just the other day

                                 C
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."

              D                       A
He said, "I'd love to Dad if I could find the time.

           G          G/F#           Em7            Em/D
You see my new jobs a hassle and the kids with the flu.

          C         Em/B        A
But, it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad.

          C          Em/B        A
It's been sure nice talking to you."

     G           G/F#      Em7           Em/D
As I hung up the phone it occurred to me,

     C        Em        A(no 3rd)
he'd grown up just like me.

   C       Em/B      A   
My boy was just like me.


        A                           G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon

C                         D
Little boy blue and the man in the moon

A                           G
When you comin' home son, I don't know when

    C            Em       A
But we'll get together then Dad

      C                 Em/B      A
We're gonna  have a good time then.