A                      C    
My child arrived just the other day;    
   D                          A    
he came into the world in the usual way.    
               A                    C    
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.    
D                            A    
  He learned to walk while I was away.    
           G               G/F#          Em7         Em/D    
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it.  And as he grew    
           C         Em/B    A              C              Em/B    A    
he'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad.  You know I'm gonna be like you."    
    
        A                           G    
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,    
C                       D    
little boy blue and the man in the moon.    
 A                              G    
"When you comin' home Dad?"  "I don't know when,    
    C           Em/B       A           C                 Em/B      A    
but we'll get together then, Son.  You know we'll have a good time then."    
    
    
   A                       C    
My son turned ten just the other day.    
          D                               A    
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad.  Come on, let's play.    
        A                             C    
Can you teach me to throw?"  I said, "Not today.    
        D                        A    
I got a   lot to do."  He said, "That's okay."    
       G         G/F#         Em7         Em/D    
And he   walked away, but his smile never dimmed.    
          C         Em/B    A               C              Em/B    A    
It said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.  You know I'm gonna be like him."    
    
        A                           G    
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,    
C                       D    
little boy blue and the man in the moon.    
 A                              G    
"When you comin' home Dad?"  "I don't know when,    
    C           Em/B       A           C                 Em/B      A    
but we'll get together then, Son.  You know we'll have a good time then."    
    

         A                               C    
Well, he came home from college just the other day,    
   D                      A    
so much like a man I just had to say,    
          A                      C    
"Son, I'm proud of you.  Can you sit for a while?"    
   D                     A    
He shook his head and he said with a smile,    
          G            G/F#       Em7          Em/D    
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys.    
C         Em/B          A    
  See you later.  Can I have them please?"    
    
        A                           G    
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,    
C                       D    
little boy blue and the man in the moon.    
 A                              G    
"When you comin' home Son?"  "I don't know when,    
    C           Em/B       A           C                 Em/B      A    
but we'll get together then, Dad.  You know we'll have a good time then."    
    
F    G Em A    
    
F    G Em A    
    
(Slower)    
    
     A                      C    
I've long since retired, my son's moved away.    
D                          A    
  I called him up just the other day.    
             A                  C    
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."    
              D                        A    
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time.    
            G           G/F#           Em7            Em/D    
You see, my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu,    
         C         Em/B       A                    C         Em/B       A    
but it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad.  It's been sure nice talkin' to you."    
         G           G/F#     Em7         Em/D    
And as I hung up the phone it occured to me,    
     C        Em/B      A9      C       Em/B      A    
he'd grown up just like me.    My boy was just like me.    
    
(Tempo I)    
    
        A                           G    
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,    
C                       D    
little boy blue and the man in the moon.    
 A                              G    
"When you comin' home Son?"  "I don't know when,    
    C           Em/B       A            C            Em/B      A    
but we'll get together then, Dad, we're gonna have a good time then."