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Cats In The Cradle Lyrics

Artist: Harry Chapin
Album: Cats In The Cradle

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

Well, he came home 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 you 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 son
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 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 on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Comments/Interpretations
by SARAH on 5/10/2008 8:43am some of the lyrics are screwed up but beutiful song:P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by jacob.takemoto on 5/11/2008 1:56pm this is a really cool song
by dudadevil on 5/11/2008 6:04pm great song, great lyric!
by ce-ce on 5/13/2008 8:43pm i really like this song because it reminds me of my daddy. thank you for writing this song
by zack on 5/13/2008 8:48pm seems a little sad in a way. Like they both never had time to spend with eachother because they were always so busy, but they both accomplished something with their lives.
by Jordan on 5/14/2008 1:22am in the last chorus (i think its the chorus) when it says "but well get together then son" it should say dad im listening to the song now
by alex on 5/14/2008 8:37am sweeeeet
by Sarah on 5/14/2008 2:51pm i love the lyrics to this song, they're my favorite.. :]
by Kiara on 5/16/2008 4:33pm The lyrics aren't screwed up @ all! WTF? This song kicks major a**! the best ever!
by seb on 5/16/2008 8:45pm most ultimate song great feel
by paul on 5/16/2008 9:27pm this song is of the hook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:p
by Ben on 5/17/2008 9:18pm man, harry chapin was soo cool, too bad hes dead... he could have written some more great music
by joblo on 5/18/2008 1:14am i love this song but some of the lyrics are wrong
by kiff on 5/18/2008 2:56pm i love and hate this song. it's a sad song because they both never spent time with eachother. my dad never liked this song because he never wanted this to end up with my two brothers. it's sad. but i like the tune and stuff. it makes me want to cry.
by bullfrog on 5/19/2008 9:42am tuching
by Raheem Patrick on 5/19/2008 5:08pm This song was good i loved it. when i read it i felt a sadness in my heart because my dad moved to a place and i wanted to move with him but i didn't , i didn't see him for a long time thats why
by Christine Hughes on 5/20/2008 2:48pm I think the song and the lyrics are awesome, so kool. i luv the chorus part when it goes: "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 son. You know we'll have a good time then" Awesome =D
by Pittsburgh Steeler Freak on 5/20/2008 8:29pm Makes me cry each time lol
by saint patrick on 5/20/2008 9:25pm muy piola cancion loco se sarpa esto re sarpa en sarpado la letra la verdad que me pego aca (l) en el corazon! es una de las unicas canciones que me hizo llorar! "I'm gonna be like you dad You know I'm gonna be like you"
by Paul on 5/22/2008 3:02am I knew Harry - His music was a reflection of his observations of life. Cats in the Cradle asks the question, "What price success?" I think Harry was a bit prophetic - look at the world today: It's absolutely tragic that corporate success has taken priority over quality time spent with the ones we care about most.
by Elie on 5/22/2008 7:45am This song is so cool song my dad and i sing it all the time
by PARKSTER on 5/22/2008 4:46pm I loved it it reminds me of my dad I learned to play it on the guitar i'm going to play it 4 tallent day
by PARKSTER97 on 5/22/2008 6:48pm I always sing this song on roadtrips. I am playing it right now. I remember my dad when I hear it because he always sais he is busy while eating M and M's
by Giuliano on 5/22/2008 8:48pm i remember when my dad first showed me this song. now i listen to the skid row version, and sometimes my eyes get watery. amazing song
by Nina on 5/23/2008 3:13am My teacher played this song for me and my class just the other day.
by J.D. on 5/23/2008 7:41pm Some lyrics are screwed up but I love this song! Watch the cats in the cradle band of brothers at youtibe.
by Headbanger on 5/23/2008 8:40pm UP THE IRONS! MAIDEN RULES!
by camryn wilkins (9) on 5/24/2008 9:04am this was a great song. i could really envision the words.
by ironman on 5/24/2008 12:45pm this is an awsome song that makes me sadish
by Es of Mel on 5/25/2008 4:35am It is so true that if you don't make time to spend with your kids today, they will likely not make time to spend with you when you get old. The lyrics are so true, you see this happening everyday. It is sad that so many parents don't get it until it is too late.
by sb on 5/25/2008 11:17am i think its funny that people think this is a beautiful song. this is a very sad song. about a father who put his job before his family and missed out on the joys of raising a son. and then the son grows up like his father putting his job before his family.
by filip00 on 5/25/2008 7:50pm fantastic song
by horselover on 5/26/2008 7:57am I love this song, but some of the lyrics are really messed up...
by Joseph on 5/26/2008 8:07am This song is definitely a sad one, but in all the different ways possible, a great one. this is my favorite song evah:O
by Janessa on 5/26/2008 7:19pm love the song. i listen to the ugly kid joe version but definitely love the original the most.
by Carri on 5/27/2008 6:55am u know how to write a beautiful song
by Fromfinland on 5/27/2008 1:38pm I love this song!
by Rob on 5/27/2008 6:29pm Its a great song, but at the same time it is kind of sad, luckyly for me my dad takes time to play catch with me and we play basketball and things like that
by Sarah on 5/30/2008 1:16am This song is so touching. It actually makes you imagine the scenes within the lyrics. Amazing song! Favourite song ever!
by southpaw on 5/30/2008 2:23pm Jesse and Jasmine, it's not because I'm working that I'm not there it's because your Mom is very mean (or sick) please forgive me! I never seen my Dad since I was 5, it hurt like hell. I'm 45 now and now I have a double reason why this song makes me cry. Don't worry 'll keep trying! LITIRAT XXXoooO
by Jose on 5/30/2008 11:19pm I love this song, It teaches us to spend time on whats important, family. Its a very good song that almost all of us can relate to.
by alyssa on 5/31/2008 3:48pm its not well get to gether then son theres no son
by jordynn [= . on 6/1/2008 8:19pm zack is so right omg ! . thats the whole point of the song. i love it so much but everytime i hear it, it makes me cry <3[= .
by clarky on 6/2/2008 4:56am this is an amazing song i never use to see my dad because he was off at work in melbourne or sydney or somewhere and i see him maybe 2 days week if lucky and i miss him and love him and want to spend time with him but hes never here untill i sqang this song to him a week later he quit his job and now works at telstra i can see him really when ever i want!!!
by jet on 6/2/2008 7:03am does thise have enything to do with history?
by Llynia on 6/2/2008 8:04am I luv this song. wtf ppl, the lyrics r NOT screwed up.. this is a great, touching, sad song, cried the 1st time i heard it. so true that the son ends up just like the dad and he regrets it...
by Amber Keyworth on 6/2/2008 1:22pm i can really relate to this song it is just so good
by Pat on 6/2/2008 4:42pm What do the lyrics mean? Cats in the cradle, silver spoon, little boy blue and the man on the moon
by Anthony James Marsh on 6/2/2008 9:04pm I believe taht this song relates very closely to 'Hakuna Matata' - the Lion King song, it tells of happiness...and later sadness of the father. I also believ that a certain Timothy Charles Hodge is massive and will make a great dad one day. Cheers, pity she's gay. CAITIIL
by Ryan on 6/2/2008 9:52pm This is a song that will forever represent the bond between a father and a son, tears everytime...
by Cosmo on 6/3/2008 12:21pm Pat, the chorus lyrics are nursery rhymes. Wikipedia has a good article explaining this song.
by Kailea on 6/5/2008 12:24pm This song always makes me think of my dad. I love this song, it's so beautiful. It chronicles the son's life until finally the roles are reversed and now he has no time to spend with his aging father...it's so sad.
by San Mig on 6/5/2008 3:51pm The lesson is not to follow Dad's example. Always find time with your children and family. When the Dad needed attention from the son, Dad got a taste of his own medicine....sorry no time!
by Colosus on 6/5/2008 7:58pm The point of the song is that children learn as they live. The father should not be character assinated because he bowed to the pressures of life and the tasks of putting food on the table and a roof overhead, and he should not duck the responsibility of the children learning well, just as he showed them. And women are not immune from this situation.
by Bobby on 6/6/2008 9:42am This song is about a father who spent all his time at work on on personal endeavors and didn't take the time to get to know his son. When the father retired, had time, and wanted to get to knos his son better, it was too late, his son was grown, had a family of his own, and wasn't interested in spending time with his Dad.
by Lana on 6/7/2008 5:51pm I think the song is kinda sad but it actually teaches a lesson in a way...
by khadidida on 6/8/2008 11:07am i can see myself when im in college.ilove your song so much that i listen to it everyday.
by Abnaki Long Dog on 6/8/2008 8:58pm I first heard this song when Harry was still alive and I had a young son. Needless to say, if I didn't cry each time I sang it, I sure as hell did when he died. My minister asked me to sing something for the Father's Day service. First I thought it was too long, but after reading it and trying out the chords/licks on 12-string, I think it will be. perfect.
by To Bobby and San on 6/10/2008 11:53pm San and Bobby nailed it. That's exactly what the song is about. The Dad didn't make time for his son when he was young, and now the son is returning the gesture now that dad is retired and lonely. Great classic song!!!
by matt clark on 6/12/2008 5:48am i love this song it is touching and...and..and.. well its just amazing nearly every time i listen to it i nearly cry just WOW!!!
by sam on 6/12/2008 10:27am one of the 3 best songs ever.. up there with imagine(lennon) and american pie(mclean)
by Selassie Moore on 6/12/2008 2:15pm It's so sad! Ican infer how the son feels. Hopefully the son doesn't turn out like the dad.In the end the son turned out successfull.So it wasn't a total lost.Right?
by Hilton on 6/12/2008 4:16pm What a great song even though it makes me cry. Life is short and people too often lose sight of what is really important in life. Family and friends, not money and recognition.
by KG on 6/14/2008 9:09am I explained the song to my daughter and then we listened to it. She cried. Then I pondered whether I spent too much time away from my kids. I hope not. Any song that brings about emotions and makes you think is a powerful song.
by Charlotte Miciotto on 6/15/2008 3:03am The lyrics to Cat's in the Cradle is a true story
by Jp on 6/15/2008 4:16pm i love this song (it's one of my favorites!!!) but some of the lyrics are rong =( thts ok though!!! =)
by Kim on 6/15/2008 6:16pm little boy blue and the man "IN" the moon
by Thompson on 6/15/2008 6:18pm somer of these lyrics are wrong!! it little boy blue and the man in the moon!! not the little boy blue on the moon!! The only reason i know that is because i just saw it on Don't Forget The Lryics!!
by cassie on 6/15/2008 7:22pm i sang this to my dad right now today on fathers day he loved it so much he was so happy
by Sylvia on 6/15/2008 9:29pm It's really sad but this song is soo true for lots of people
by James on 6/16/2008 2:02am great song but some of the lyrics are messed up ie. "man on the moon" should be "man in the moon."
by Pedro on 6/16/2008 12:45pm Great song, great lyrics
by kayla on 6/17/2008 3:31pm this song is the best!! contrary to popular rumor the lyrics aren't screwed up @ all
by felipe on 6/19/2008 7:49pm I love this song. lyrics aren't messed up at all. I making sure this doesn't happen to me and my kid when I have one. I think we could all learn something from this song.
by miko on 6/20/2008 4:42pm I like the Ugly Kid Version most because of the really suspended and heavy atmosphere they gave to the song. I also saw a video of Harry Chapin introduce this song with the words "This song always scares me to death". Great melody, so true and accurate lyrics and the climax in one single line: "My boy was just like me". One of my all time favourites.
by a person on 6/21/2008 11:42am wow felipe I dont think anyone can learn anythin from this stupid song
by Poop on 6/21/2008 7:39pm i hate this song.
by hello on 6/22/2008 7:02am awesome!
by Jennifer on 6/23/2008 7:04am This is a really lovely song...awww sweet
by Ben on 6/23/2008 1:34pm its depressing how this happens all the time. father trying to provide and give his kids a better life, while the kids dont know who the hell he is and grow up the same way.
by jere on 6/23/2008 3:43pm Sadder than the song is reading most of the peeps atrocious grammar and spelling and ignorance. I am so thankful I'm not a teacher. I wouldn't need to listen to this song to cry every night. Interacting with you all would do it for me.
by mathew on 6/24/2008 12:41am it is grate
by Ray on 6/24/2008 4:01am Beautiful song, but there are 3 errors in the chorus "Man in the Moon", When you coming home Dad is the start of the chorus for the first two (as the son is asking his father) and the second two start when "When ya comin home son?" and end But we'll get together then dad, ya know we'll have a good time then as the father is now asking the son, and he responds... that's the mistakes they are talking about only 4 words for the whole song (not counting that they repeat the same error) but its the message of the song I find enjoyable and yes sad too.
by callan on 6/24/2008 9:11am im 13 i dont know my real dad as he ran away when i was born but my step dad really takes his place the song helps me deal with the greef :)
by Brian on 6/24/2008 11:33am When Harry Chapin wrote this great song I'm sure he couldn't have known the powerful impact that it would have on so many people. I love listening to it with my 3 year old boy; it keeps me in check and reminds me of my responsibility as a father and how important spending quality time with my son is. My own dad died only a year after I finally spent some real time with him.
by Deidre on 6/27/2008 3:51pm This song is so sad but as mother I am drawn to it because this is my son and his father's story. It is one those timeless painful beauty of song.
by Marita on 6/27/2008 4:57pm This song is really beautiful. Very mutch emotions in this song.
by Chad on 6/27/2008 9:26pm What a powerful song! I break down everytime I hear it. Reminds me not to be like my dad and to spend every moment I can with my boys.
by katty on 6/28/2008 2:27pm this song is about a screwed up dad!! read the lyrics idiots
by Haha on 6/29/2008 11:38am sONG'S great!:DD
by nicky d on 6/30/2008 3:38am i struggle every time i hear this but it is my story and so beutiful, i loved my dad so much. He was and is my life, i would not be the man i am if it wasn't for my (pop)
by frankJ on 7/3/2008 10:41am Bad lyrics or not the heartfelt message can keep one on track regarding the true treasures of life, that being the sharing of everyday life with one's children... no parent can deny that!
by Little Eazy on 7/4/2008 3:06am I love this song. I hate this song. I am the son. I am now the father,
by bob on 7/5/2008 5:03pm we sing this song at the little kids camp that I am a counselor at. I think the kids are too young to understand that it is a meaningful song, but the counselors get it and we all love the song we sing it everyday
by SON on 7/7/2008 3:47pm great writer
by zappr on 7/8/2008 10:32pm describes my dad pretty well
by Been There on 7/9/2008 11:10pm My oldest son asked his dad this question when he was 4 "when you coming home" he took 30 taught him this song and 4 years later was in prison and missed his sons growing up. That is sad and why this song makes me cry and I'm still mad at his father.
by Big Z on 7/10/2008 8:07pm Awesome song and it's so true
by Ashlea on 7/11/2008 3:09am This song nearly makes me cry every time I hear it :( So sad.
by Stephen J. on 7/15/2008 10:52am I'm In Military. I Love This Song Makes Think Of How much I Love My Dad
by Klogg on 7/16/2008 4:38am I rekon this song is awesome but... I rekon I'm even more awesome...tragidy, I know... Nah jokes lol This is awesome I'm downloading it right now!
by ltm on 7/16/2008 3:33pm This is about a dad and son who never got to know each other just like me and my dad. Dad is long dead and i don't really know anything about him nor did he know how i grew up. Sad song for me.
by Mgn ano on 7/16/2008 5:18pm YOU SPELLT THE SONG WRONG
by Bhavana on 7/16/2008 7:07pm It's sooooo sad and touching. It makes me want to cry. Not many songs do that to me, and that's why I luv it.
by Mgn ano on 7/17/2008 8:00am Welcome to my world ! Life as you know it changes when you hear the song as you may learn it changes your opinune on music FOREVER so let this song teach you somthing never let go
by JNP on 7/17/2008 1:43pm It's a really, really good song, but it's sad in a way.
by Rally78 on 7/19/2008 3:50pm Okay, this song was popular just before college which certainly dates me - lol. Yep, middle age has come and I just realize how it is with my daughter who is now in college saying the same exact things. The song never affected back then but boy does it affect me now!! The pang is quite sharp.....
by Alan on 7/21/2008 1:51am It hits home. I had that Dad and I was that Dad and now don't hear from my son. At least I did get to know my Dad his last 35 years and cared for him his last two. I doubt that this generation feels the same way.
by Leon on 7/21/2008 10:50am Great song. It reminds me of my dad. He does a lot better.
by Paul on 7/21/2008 4:57pm I hope I'm a success story. You see, Cats in the Cradle lyrics were sort of my purpose statement when raising my kids. And if anything, I probably pestered them too much -- but you can't spend too much time with your kids.
by Andrew on 7/22/2008 7:57am I don't know when, but we'll get together then son its dad not son I don't know when, but we'll get together then dad CORRECTED^ either then that they seem fine
by Mark on 7/22/2008 6:48pm I miss my daughter
by michele on 7/23/2008 6:41am this is such a powerful emotive song that cannot fail to touch anyone with a heart, always brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it, great stuff Harry
by steve on 7/24/2008 4:00pm These powerful emotive lyrics ring with me - my 2 sons lack my time, I hope they wont be like me
by Esteban on 7/24/2008 11:13pm This song is what im going tru now, my dad wants to expend time with me, but now i got my own life, he did not spend ,uch time when i was a kid...sorry dad,,,i love oyu tho
by Marc on 7/25/2008 1:14pm I changed the way I lived my life because of this song. I spent all the time I could with my children. In 18 years my wife and I never went on vacation without our children. All of our free time was family time. We did many things and always together.
by Mike on 7/28/2008 4:43pm My son was with me just the other day and heard this song for the first time. He asked me about it and I explained it was a very sad story about a dad who did not spend time with his children. I told him he would never, ever know what that was like. He said he knew that and we hugged.
by Frank on 7/31/2008 1:46pm This song tugs at my heart. My father left 3 preschool kids and started another family. I'm 47 years old now and he wants to spend time with us now. I hate that some fathers make this mistake before finding out it's too late.
by emmy on 7/31/2008 1:50pm I have always loved this song.
by iyuf on 8/3/2008 10:44pm sucks
by Hans on 8/3/2008 11:00pm This is really a great song, and i really love it. This song was one of the reasons and inspiration why i am spending time loving my wife AND ESPECIALLY my Son. I don't want this to happen to me and my son. (Tnx Harry & Sandy Chapin who 1st wrote d lyrics of that song)
by Rich on 8/8/2008 9:14pm I'm typing a letter to my son who is going on a retreat with some of his senior friends at school, and the letters will be read to them. I stated in the letter references to this song and the day he assumes his own life and how I will not look forward to having him leave, but I know it will be inevetible. If you have a bond with your son the lyrics are true to life.
by Roger on 8/12/2008 3:05pm Several people have said that at least the dad was successful. We don't really know - all we know is he was busy. Probably like a lot of people, he thought he was busy with something important but probably not as important as his son.
by Kat on 8/18/2008 8:54am Great song...just sad that my 10 year is living it:(

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