Lyrics:

(Words and music by Harry Chapin)

A child arrived 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.

Chorus:
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon.
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
When you coming 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 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.
He walked away but his smile never dimmed,
He said, I'm gonna be like him,
Yeah, you know I'm gonna be like him.

Chorus:
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon.
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
When you coming 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 then 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.

Chorus:
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon.
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
When you coming home son? I don't know when,
But we'll have a good time 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 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 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.

Chorus:
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon.
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
When you coming home son? I don't know when,
But we'll have a good time then dad,
You know we'll have a good time then....