The Cat's In The Cradle Lyrics - The Essential Judy Collins - 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 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?" 

"I don't know when, 

We'll get together then, son. 

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

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My child turned ten 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've 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?" 

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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."