Cat's In The Cradle
Words and Music 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 and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking 'fore 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 dimmed
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
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 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

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 jobs a hassle and the kids with the flu.
But, it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad.
It's been sure nice talking 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
We're gonna  have a good time then.