Cat's in the Cradle

Cat's in the Cradle - Judy Collins

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

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 "

He turned away but his smile never dimmed

"I'm gonna be like him " he said

Yes 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 "

"I don't know when

We'll get together then son

You know we'll have a good time then "

Well he came from college the other day

So much like a man I just had to say

"I'm proud of you son Will you sit for a while "

He shook his head and he said with a smile

"What I'd really like to do is borrow the car keys

I'll 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 "

"I don't know when

We'll get together then son

You know we'll have a good time then "

Well I've long since retired and my child 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 "

He said "My new job's a hassle

And the kids got the flu

But it's so nice talking to you dad

It's so nice talking to you "

And as I hung up the phone

It occurred to me

My boy's a lot like me

My boy's a lot 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 "

"I don't know when

We'll get together then son

You know we'll have a good time then "

"We'll get together then son

You know we'll have a good time then "