Cat's in the Cradle
Harry Chapin 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 tells the story of a father and son's relationship and the missed opportunities to spend quality time together as the father prioritized work and other commitments over his son. The song starts with the birth of the son and the father's realization that he missed significant moments of his son's life due to work obligations. The father then realizes that his son has grown up and he missed the chance to create a strong bond with him. When the son comes to visit, he sees how much his son has grown and how similar they are in personality and priorities. The son then reveals that he is too busy with work and family to visit often, mirroring his father's previous behavior, and ending the song with the same line that once came from the son's voice: "But we'll get together then, dad. We're gonna have a good time then."
Line by Line Meaning
My child arrived just the other day
The singer's child was born recently
He came to the world in the usual way
The child was born in the same way as any other child
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
The singer was busy with work and other responsibilities
He learned to walk while I was away
The child reached the developmental milestone of walking while the singer was not around
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
The child quickly developed speech and continued to grow up
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, dad"
"You know I'm gonna be like you"
The child admired his father and aspired to 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
The chorus is a repeated reminder that the singer is frequently absent and his son frequently asks when he'll be home, but they promise to have a good time together whenever they do see each other
My son turned ten just the other day
The singer's son has reached the age of ten
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"
The son asks the father to play catch and learn to throw, but the father is too busy. Despite this, the son still admires his father and wants to be like him
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?"
The son comes back from college and has grown into a young man. The father is proud of his son and wants to spend time with him, but the son just wants to borrow the car keys and leave
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
The father has retired and his son has moved away. The father calls his son to catch up, but the son is busy with his own life. As the father reflects on the conversation, he realizes that his son has become just 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, son?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then, dad
We're gonna have a good time then
The chorus repeats, but this time it's the son who doesn't know when he'll come home. They promise to get together and have a good time like they always do
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sandy Chapin, Harry F. Chapin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TexasCat99
@@lloydchristmas1086 Great that your dad learned early that he was throwing away something he would never get back. My own father was never around. When he passed there wasn't anything to cry over.
I caught my wife cheating and she was removed from the family home. I lose time as a single dad because I work more and it is a single parent household now.. Every time my son goes away for visitation weekends, it angers me. That it is time that is taking away from MY SON. I have primary custody for a reason.
I recently had to spend 5 months working 70-hour weeks. I explained to the company that had to stop. I told them my son is asking for more of my time with him and it was no longer acceptable.
I take my son to school everyday, and I do school volunteer work so I am there.
I taught him things like riding a bike, reading, fix things and he teaches himself computers and Even though I'm in that field, he is able to show me things and I tell him I am proud of him.
@rosiegigglesestablished1963
I'm a woman. I grew up without a dad and this song has always hurt. Girls just like boys need their dad's.
@greg2976
🙏🙏❤❤
@mickjagger8439
Sorry, I was so lucky to have two good parents, but unlucky they passed away too young.
Life isn't fair :-(
@sherylsocia4496
I am sorry. I can't imagine how you feel. So sad. My dad was around, but we weren't close. Finally, we were able to patch things up before he passed
@sarahmathews3
Same. I was just telling my husband how little girls always pictured time with their dad's like tea parties and stuff. I never had that. My great uncle is the one who taught me to fish and my brother, to throw a football when I was 10. I always get envious of wishing I had a dad. I love this song but I always cry when I sing it too (my siblings are very talented in the nusic department, and I'm also talented in the artist and writing department)
@sarahmathews3
@@mickjagger8439so sorry for your loss, I couldn't imagine losing my mom. I lost my grams and that has been hard enough on me recently. My prayers and condolences to you ❤❤
@34stzoo
My 6-year son was at a sporting event over a weekend. I didn't attend because I've worked all week and wanted to enjoy my weekend.
I told my wife I didn't have a father growing up and he'll be okay. I was at work one day and this song came on, and for the first time, I really listened to it. I stopped what I was doing and started crying... I never missed any of my son's events after that! Both my boys are out of the house now and I cherish every moment, every event, and every school trip I took with them. Thank you, Harry Chapin, for making me understand how lucky I am to be a DAD!
@audiophileman7047
I had the same experience with my son. The song changed my life and my son's life. That's what great music does.
@russvorhees8985
We will never meet or get to lnow eachother, but i hage love for you and all the other fsthers in the world, i love my father desrly and as a son i love all fathers. Your comment has warmed my heart. I hope to be a great father some day. God bless you pops.
@brigittebeltran6701
You are awesome! 👏🌹🙏