Cat's in the Cradle



                                                         Harry Chapin

                                        (Description: Story of a man who doesn't have the time
                                         to spend with his child, then finds out when he is old,
                                                the child doesn't have time for him.)

                                                 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 ok."
                                       And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed, it said,
                                                   "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."

                                             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 awhile?"
                                              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.
                                               You know we'll have a good time then."

                                            I've long since returned, 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 kids have the flu,
                                                 But it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad,
                                                  It's been sure nice talkin' 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."