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 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
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
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 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
4
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 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 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: Harry Chapin
Year: 1974
Decade: 70s
Language: en
Word Count: 213