Cats In The Cradle
Harvey Chapin
Intro (Run): d a a
b a g e a | e c e e c c e D-chord
Verse 1
My D child arrived just the F other day; he G came into the world in the D usual way.
But there were D planes to catch, and F bills to pay. G He learned to walk while I D was away.
And he was C talkin' 'fore I knew it. And Am as he grew
he'd say, F "I'm gonna Am be like D you, Dad. You F know I'm gonna Am be like D you."
Chorus
And the D cat's in the cradle and the C silver spoon,
F little boy blue and the G man in the moon.
D "When you comin' home Dad?" "I C don't know when,
but F we'll get Am together D then, Son. You F know we'll have a Am good time D then."
Run: d a a
b a g e a | e c e e c c e D-chord
Verse 2
My D son turned ten just the F other day. He said, G "Thanks for the ball, Dad. Come D on, let's play.
Can you D teach me to throw?" I said, F "Not today. I got a G lot to do." He said, D "That's okay."
And C he walked away, but his Am smile never dimmed.
It said, F "I'm gonna Am be like D him, yeah. You F know I'm gonna Am be like D him."
Chorus
Verse 3
Well, he D came home from college just the F other day, so G much like a man I just D had to say,
"Son, I'm D proud of you. Can you F sit for a while?" He G shook his head and he D said with a smile,
"What I'd C really like, Dad, is to Am borrow the car keys.
F See you Am later. Can I D have them please?"
Chorus
Bb C Am D x2
Verse 4 (Slower)
I've D long since retired, my F son's moved away. G I called him up just the D other day.
I said, "I'd D like to see you if F you don't mind." He said, "I'd G love to, Dad, if I could D find the time.
You see, my C new job's a hassle and the Am kids have the flu,
but it's F sure nice Am talkin' to D you, Dad. It's been F sure nice Am talkin' to D you."
And as I C hung up the phone it oc-Am-cured to me,
he'd F grown up Am just like A(no me. [3rd)] My F boy was Am just like D me.
Chorus (Original Tempo)