Cat
Celtic Thunder Lyrics


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My child arrived just the other day
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 talkin’ ‘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.”
Well, the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man in the Moon
“When you comin’ home, Dad?”
“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, son
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
And 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 comin’ home, Dad?”
“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, son
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 said with a smile,
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later. Can I have them please?”

Well, the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man in the Moon
“When you comin’ home, son?”
“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, Dad
You know we’ll have a good time then.”

Well, I’ve long since retired; 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, my new job’s a hassle and the kids have 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

Well, the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
“When you comin’ home, son?”




“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, Dad
You know we’ll have a good time then.”

Overall Meaning

The song "Cat's in the Cradle" by Celtic Thunder is an emotional ballad about a father's regrets over not spending enough time with his son. The song begins with the father reminiscing about the day his child was born, but he missed out on many of his son's milestones due to work and other responsibilities. The father's regret is palpable when he sings about his son wanting to be like him, and the chorus describes a toy from a nursery rhyme to symbolize the passing of time and the emotional distance that grows between the father and son.


The second verse shows the son growing up and wanting to spend time with his father, but the father is too busy to accommodate his request. The son still idolizes his father, and the chorus repeats with a slight variation to include the son's perspective. In the final verse, the roles are reversed, and the father calls to ask his grown-up son to visit him. However, the son is too busy with his own life to make the time for his father, completing the circle of neglect and regret.


Overall, "Cat's in the Cradle" conveys a powerful message about the importance of family and the need to make time for loved ones. It is a poignant reminder to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones, as time passes quickly, and we do not want to miss out on the chance to create lasting memories.


Line by Line Meaning

My child arrived just the other day
My child was born recently


Came into the world in the usual way
My child was born normally


But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
I was busy and had to work to support my family


He learned to walk while I was away
I missed important moments in my child's development


And he was talkin’ ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
My child grew up quickly and I missed a lot


He’d say “I’m gonna be like you, Dad
My child admired me and wanted to be like me


Well, the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
The father has a privileged life and neglects his son


Little Boy Blue and the Man in the Moon
The son is growing up quickly and feeling lonely


“When you comin’ home, Dad?”
The son wants to spend time with his father


“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, son
The father promises to make time for his son in the future


My son turned ten just the other day
My son is getting older


He said, “Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on, let’s play
My son wants to spend time with me


Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today
The father is too busy to spend time with his son


And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
The son loves his father despite being neglected


And said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah.
The son still admires his father


Well, he came from college just the other day
The son is now a young adult


“Son, I’m proud of you. Can you sit for a while?”
The father wants to spend time with his son and express his pride


He shook his head and said with a smile, “What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
The son is independent and wants to use his father's car


“See you later. Can I have them please?”
The son is in a hurry to leave


Well, I’ve long since retired; my son’s moved away
The father is retired and the son has grown up and left home


I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind.”
The father wants to spend time with his son


He said, “I’d love to, Dad, if I can find the time.
The son is busy with his own life but still loves his father


But it’s sure nice talking to you, Dad.
The son enjoys talking to his father


And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
The father realizes something important


He’d grown up just like me
The son has become similar to his father


Well, the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
The father regrets not spending enough time with his son


Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
The son has grown up and become an adult


“When you comin’ home, son?”
The father now wants to spend time with his son


“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, Dad
The son promises to make time for his father in the future




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sandy Chapin, Harry F. Chapin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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