My child arrived just the other day
He came into 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 on 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 10 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 walked away, but his smile, lemme tell you
said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him

And the cat's in the cradle - refrain

Well, he came home 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 a while?
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?

Cat's in the cradle refrain

I've long since retired, and 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 the new jobs a hassle and the kids have the flu
But it's been sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me, yeah
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy and the man on the moon
When you coming home, son? I don't know when
But we'll get together then dad
You know we'll have a good time then