Harry Chapin - Cats in the Cradle
16,499,841
Published 2008-11-27
Lyrics
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 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 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 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-a, not today
I got a lot to do, he said, that's okay
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
It 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 coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then
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 they 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 coming home, son?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then, dad
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 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 in the moon
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then, dad
We're gonna have a good time then
All Comments (21)
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Every dad should listen to this song from the moment you find out you'll be a dad until your child is born. Puts priorities in order
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I'm 59 this song still brings tears to my eyes
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this happened to me and my son. i worked all the time and know im retired at home. and hes always working.and after work as he had the weekend off hes hang with his buddies. one time he came over to ask for some money and he saw me crying listening to this song. he listened and it broke his heart.poor kid . he cried and we hugged. every weekend hes comes over nowand stays in touch constantly. thank you harry chapin.
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This is probably one of the most moving songs ever written
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Who is listening to Harry in 2022? This is one of those songs that I've listened to all my life, from childhood to teendom, then in later adulthood I re-discovered it. Love it still!
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A couple years ago my dad asked if i could get time off work to go with him on a road trip to Idaho. My brother and sister both just had their second kid and weren’t visiting much. This song came on. He laughed and said “this song is so true” and I went “huh?” He said “well… it’s about a father who never had time to spend with his son… and when his son grew up… his son didn’t have time for his dad… thanks for coming with me on this trip. I really appreciate it.” Took everything in me to not cry.
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I remember this song when I was a little boy. I'm 58 years old now and this song still brings tears to my eyes...
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Who's listening in 2024
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I'm 49 years old, and this song still makes me cry every time I hear it.
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I am 58 yr old and have 20 yr old kids. This song is my living life right now. I worked all my life and the kids are in school and doing their thing. I see this song everyday. People, ENJOY your kids while you can..
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I would give anything to go back and live in the 70' s when i was young back then we were free and safe. I miss those safe days. All we have are the good memories! No cell phones. We had great music to keep us busy. Kids today have no idea how good it was back then. Sometimes i sit with the 70"s music and peacefully wonder back in time feeling like im living it with my mind set at the moment.
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A message to the future generations: Don't let this song die.
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I'm 58 never had kids, but this song reduces me to tears and makes me miss my mum and dad (both passed). It is a song which will never age, a simple song, yet I think the saddest song in the world....yet beautiful. Now to wipe the tears away. xx
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I’ll never forget the first time i heard this song, my dad had a model railroad set in the basement and we were hanging out. This song came on and he just said “listen to this song”. He passed in 2018 and I now have a 9 month old boy, hearing this song now really hits home. God Bless!
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That final lyric, "As I hung up the phone, it occurred to me, he'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me." chokes me up every single time. It looks like it chokes up Harry, too. If it doesn't, then you don't have a soul. Songs like this aren't written anymore.
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My dad was my best friend. I joined the Marine Corps fresh outta high school when I was 19. Unbeknownst to me his time on this earth was coming to an end. A day after I turned 21 he died in my arms of a massive heart attack at 58. I would give anything to have those years back and see my dad again.
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Who's listening in 2023 and 24?!! God bless all of us us and our families!!
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How can anyone dislike this song, one of the best father son songs in the history of the world hands down love it
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Anyone listening 2024? This song gives me tears sad story REST IN PEACE HARRY CHAPIN
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I am now 64 years old and remember this song from my days in high school. My dad and I never were able to heal all the rift between us. He had been raised in the Depression and, like many in his generation, learned to hide his fear, his feelings and would never admit being wrong or say he was sorry. I have two daughters, 32 and 27. I am very close with both of them and so is my wife. For our 40th anniversary we asked them to join us - we are both most happy when our girls are with us. I just sobbed while listening to this song. In the last few years I have referenced this song when asked how my girls are doing. That's the power of this song...even when it makes you think of those you ARE close to and love. I determined that this great song would not describe me with my children. Cherish the time with your children. This is a great song.
