Harry Chapin - Cat's in the Cradle

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 talkin' '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 on the moon

"When you comin' home dad?"

"I don't know when, but we'll get together then, son

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 ok"

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed

And 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 on the moon

"When you comin' home dad?"

"I don't know when, but we'll get together then, son.

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

Well, he came home 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 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 on 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, 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 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 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 on 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."

• Artist:Ugly Kid Joe
• Album:ities & Balderdash (1974)