Cat's in the Cradle

Harry Chapin

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Capo 8th fret

   A                      C          D                        A
My child arrived just the other day, he came to the world in the usual way
               A                   C            D                           A
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay, he learned to walk while I was away
       G                G/F#    G/E   G/D
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew he said,
G/C        G/B     A             G/C            G/B     A
"I'm gonna be like you, Dad. 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 coming home, Dad? I don't know when
G/C         G/B    A
We'll get together then
G/C         G/B    A
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.
Could 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 coming home, Dad? I don't 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 coming home, son? I don't when.
But, we'll get together then, Dad
You know we'll have a good time then

Interlude - F G Em A (2 times)

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 the 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 in the moon
When you coming home, son? I don't when.
But we'll get together then, Dad
We're gonna have a good time then