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. 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, 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 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, 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 comin' home, son?" "I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Dad. We're gonna have a good time then."