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 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 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, 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

And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah

You know I'm gonna be like him."

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 coming 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 job's a hassle, and the kid's got 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 in the moon

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

But we'll get together then, dad

We're gonna have a good time then."