My child arrived just the other day
come 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
he was talking for a minute
and as he grew
he'd say I'm gonna be like you Dad
you know I'm gonna be like you

And the cats 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
we'll get together then
you know we'll have
a good time then

Well 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 o.k.
and he walked away and he
smiled and he said
you know I'm gonna be like him yeah
you know I'm gonna be like him

And the cats in the cradle ...

Well he came from college
just the other day
so much like a man I just had to say
I'm proud of you could 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 cats in the cradle ...

I've long since retired
my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
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 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
I occured to me
he'd grown up just like me
my boy was just like me

And the cats in the cradle ...

And the cats in the cradle ...