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Capo on 5th fret
A C
My child arrived just the other day;
D A
he came into the world in the usual way.
A C
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
D A
He learned to walk while I was away.
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it. And as he grew
C Em/B A C Em/B A
he'd say, 'I'm gonna be like you, Dad. You know I'm gonna be like you.'
A G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C D
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A G
'When you comin' home Dad?' 'I don't know when,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but we'll get together then, Son. You know we'll have a good time then.'
A C
My son turned ten just the other day.
D A
He said, 'Thanks for the ball, Dad. Come on, let's play.
A C
Can you teach me to throw?' I said, 'Not today.
D A
I got a lot to do.' He said, 'That's okay.'
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed.
C Em/B A C Em/B A
It said, 'I'm gonna be like him, yeah. You know I'm gonna be like him.'
A G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C D
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A G
'When you comin' home Dad?' 'I don't know when,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but we'll get together then, Son. You know we'll have a good time then.'
A C
Well, he came home from college just the other day,
D A
so much like a man I just had to say,
A C
'Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?'
D A
He shook his head and he said with a smile,
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
'What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys.
C Em/B A
See you later. Can I have them please?'
A G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C D
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A G
'When you comin' home Son?' 'I don't know when,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but we'll get together then, Dad. You know we'll have a good time then.'
F G Em A
F G Em A
(Slower)
A C
I've long since retired, my son's moved away.
D A
I called him up just the other day.
A C
I said, 'I'd like to see you if you don't mind.'
D A
He said, 'I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time.
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
You see, my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad. It's been sure nice talkin' to you.'
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
And as I hung up the phone it occured to me,
C Em/B A9 C Em/B A
he'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.
(Tempo I)
A G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C D
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A G
'When you comin' home Son?' 'I don't know when,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but we'll get together then, Dad, we're gonna have a good time then.'
Written by Harry Chapin