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A
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, dad?" "I don't
know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."
My
son turned ten 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 never dimmed,
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know 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, dad?" "I don't
know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."
Well,
he came 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?"
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,
But we'll get together then, dad.
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 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.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got
the flu,
But it's 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.
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,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."
by
Harry Chapin
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