Cats in the Cradle
Chapin Harry Lyrics
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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"
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-a, not today
I got a lot to do, he said, that's okay
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
It 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 they 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, 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
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
We're gonna have a good time then
The song "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin is a narrative about a father who is unable to spend time with his son, only to realize later in life that he has missed out on the opportunity to connect with his now-grown son. The song begins with the birth of the child and the father's realization that he will not be able to spend as much time with him as he would like. The father's preoccupation with work, "planes to catch and bills to pay," causes him to miss important milestones in his son's life, such as learning to walk and talk.
As the song progresses, the father's son grows up and begins to emulate his father's behavior, saying, "I'm gonna be like you, dad." However, as his son becomes more independent, their relationship becomes strained. The song ends with the father, now retired and hoping to reconnect with his son, but finding that his son has become just like him, too busy with work and family to spend time together.
"Cat's in the Cradle" is a poignant reminder of the importance of spending time with loved ones while they are still present in our lives. The song emphasizes the dangers of prioritizing work over family and serves as a cautionary tale to those who may be on that path.
Line by Line Meaning
My child arrived just the other day
The persona's child was born recently in the usual way.
He came to the world in the usual way
The persona's child was born just like any other child.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
The persona was preoccupied with work and other responsibilities and didn't have enough time to spend with his child.
He learned to walk while I was away
The persona wasn't present to witness his child's first steps.
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
The persona missed out on a lot of his child's early development because he wasn't around much.
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, dad"
The child admires his father and wants to follow in his footsteps.
"You know I'm gonna be like you"
The child is confident that he will grow up to be like his father.
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
This is a reference to a nursery rhyme that represents the idea of a privileged upbringing.
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
Another reference to a nursery rhyme that symbolizes something unattainable.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
The persona doesn't know when he will be able to spend time with his child because he is too busy with work and other obligations.
But we'll get together then
The persona promises to spend time with his child in the future, without specifying a date or time.
You know we'll have a good time then
The persona is optimistic about the future and believes that he and his child will enjoy each other's company when they finally get together.
My son turned ten just the other day
The persona's child is now ten years old.
He said, thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play
The child is eager to spend time with his father and play ball.
Can you teach me to throw, I said-a, not today
The persona doesn't have time to teach his child how to throw the ball today.
I got a lot to do, he said, that's okay
The child is understanding of his father's busy schedule.
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
The child is disappointed that his father can't play with him, but he's not upset about it.
It said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah
The child still admires his father and wants to be like him.
You know I'm gonna be like him
The child repeats his desire to be like his father.
Well, he came from college just the other day
The persona's child has recently come home from college.
So much like a man I just had to say
The persona is proud of his son and how much he has grown.
Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?
The persona wants to spend time with his son and show him how proud he is.
He shook his head, and they said with a smile
The son declines his father's offer to sit with him, but he does so with a smile on his face.
What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
The son has his own priorities now, and one of them is to borrow his father's car.
See you later, can I have them please?
The son doesn't want to spend time with his father just yet because he has other things he wants to do.
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
The persona has retired from work, and his son has left home to start his own life.
I called him up just the other day
The persona speaks to his son on the phone.
I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
The persona wants to see his son in person.
He said, I'd love to, dad, if I can find the time
The son is willing to see his father, but he has many other commitments that make it difficult for him to find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kids have the flu
The son is busy with his job and his own family, and he also has sick children to take care of.
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
Despite his busy schedule, the son values the time he spends talking to his father.
It's been sure nice talking to you
The son enjoys talking to his father and values their relationship.
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
The persona has a realization after he finishes talking to his son.
He'd grown up just like me
The persona realizes that his son has become just like him in many ways.
My boy was just like me
The persona repeats his realization that his son has become like him.
We're gonna have a good time then
The persona is optimistic that he and his son will have a good time together in the future, despite their busy schedules and other obligations.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sandy Chapin, Harry F. Chapin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marinfamily3
True story...
I remember this song being played in the background during my childhood. Just enough to barely recall the memories and music.
Fast forward to being an angst filled teenager and rediscovering this song (Nirvana was the rage), trying to share this song with my Father.
My Father being very familiar with this song and one of his favorites long ago, shut me down and dismissed me as silly and whatever nonsense. Didn't want to hear me or listen to the song.
Fast forward again...
I am a father of a son.
I don't have a relationship with my father anymore. That's his decision.
10 years now raising my son along with my wonderful wife and this song has an entirely different meaning.
Still a beautiful, sad and penetrating song.
I broke the cycle.
No longer living for my Father's approval. Living for myself and most importantly raising my son in a healthy and loving way.
Very grateful.
@Philo-ul2uq
Lessons from this song;
1. Time is a thief
2. People are more important than money
3. Don't repeat the mistakes of the past
@maineh488
Love has no time.....love you💗
@voilet8050
also, be the person you want your kids to be when they get older
@rpena62
Giving someone your time has no price
@BrittanyIttany
Ouch in the feels 😫
@AstoundinglyBadIdeas
the like count is 1 2 3
@johnfulcher2447
No father with sons can ever deny this song. I am 77 now, my sons are 57, and 55. They are just like me- the good, the bad, the ugly. To all fathers who read this- GIVE THEM YOUR TIME !!!!!
@HansLiu23
Hell no
@Compulsive-Elk7103
@@HansLiu23😂
@thereaction8648
“Think of Edward, still at college. You send him letters, which he doesn’t acknowledge...”
_ “Private Hell” by The Jam. 🎸
Different song, similar theme. 😉