A child arrived just the other day
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 talkin' 'fore I knew it and as he grew
He said, I'm gonna be like you, Dad
You know I'm gonna be like you”

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' 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
"Not today, I got a lot to do", he said, "That's okay"

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
He 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 on the moon
When you comin' home, Dad?
I don't know when but we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then

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 ya later, can I have them please?"

And 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

Now I've 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 could find the time
My new job's a hassle and the kids got the flu
But it's nice talkin' to you Dad, it's sure nice talkin' to you"

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 on the moon
When you comin' home, Son?
I don't know when but we'll get together then
Dad, you gonna have a good time then