My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, 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'
'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, I don't know when
But we'll get together then
We're gonna 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've got a lot to do', he said, 'That's okay'

But he walked away and 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, I don't know when
But we'll get together then
We're gonna have a good time then

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 just 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, I don't know when
But we'll get together then
We're gonna have a good time then

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'

'But my new job's a 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, 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, I don't know when
But we'll get together then
We're gonna have a good time then