A child arrived just the other day
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
He was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said I'm going to be like you, Dad
You know I'm going to 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 son, I don't know when
We'll get together then, you know we'll have a good time then
My son turned 10, just the other day
Said thanks for the ball, now c'mon let's play
Will you teach me to throw
I said not today
I've got a lot to do, he said, "That's okay"
And he walked away and he smiled and he said
You know I'm going to be like you, Dad
You know I'm going to 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 son, I don't know when
We'll get together then, you know we'll have a good time then
He came from college just the other day
So much like a man, I just had to say
I'm proud of you
Won't you sit for a while
He shook his head and said with a smile
What I'm feeling 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
We'll get together then, 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'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 kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking you, Dad, it's been real 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
We'll get together then, you know we'll have a good time then
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
We'll get together then, you know we'll have a good time then
[Thanks to htomwininger for correcting these lyrics]