Cat's in the cradle
(As performed by Johnny Cash)

A child was born 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 a lot 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

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
little boy blue and the man in the moon
when you're 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 in 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 did exit
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're coming 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 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 cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
little boy blue and the man in the moon
when you're coming home, son, I don't know when
but we'll get together then
you know we'll have a good time then

Now I've retired, my son 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 blues
but it's nice talking to you, dad
it sure is nice talking to you

As I hung up the phone, it occured 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're coming home, son, I don't know when
but we'll get together then
we're gonna have a good time then

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