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 In The Moon "When you comin' home, Dad?" "I don't know when, we'll get together then, son You know we'll have a good time then" Well my son turned 10 just the other day 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 a smile never came 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 In The Moon "When you comin' home, Dad?" "I don't know when, we'll get together then, son You know we'll have a good time then" Well 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 comin' home, son?" "I don't know when, we'll get together then We're gonna have a good time then" Well I've long since retired, my son's moved away 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 the kids have the flu But it's sure nice talking to you Dad, it's been sure nice talking to you" And as he hung up the phone it occurred to me He'd grown up just like, 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 comin' home, son?" "I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Dad We're gonna have a good time then"