Cats in the cradle (Listen to midi)

 

    D                             F 

1. My child arrived just the other day.

           G                                    D

    he came to the world in the usual way.

                       D                             F

    But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay,

G                                            D

    he learned to walk while I was away.

                C                    Em            Am           

    And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew,

            F             C         D

    he'd say, I'm gonna be like you, Dad,

      F                    C          D

    you know I'm gonna be like you.

 

       D                                      C 

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon,

 F                                  G

little boy blue and the man on the moon.

      D                                                 C

”When you comin' home?”  “Son, I don't know when.

F                     C          D                

    We'll get together then.

  F                          C              D      ~

You know we'll have a good time then.”

 

                    D                                   F

2. Well, my son turned ten just the other day                 

               G                                             D

    He said: “Thanks for the ball, Dad! Come on, let's play!

             D                                       - F

    Can you teach me to throw?”, I said:       “Not today.

       G                                D

    I got a lot to do.” He said: “That's okay.”

                  - C                     Em                Am              

    And then     he walked away, but his smile never dimmed.

       - F                  C          D                        

    It said,       I’m gonna be like him, yeah.

      F                     C          D  

    You know I'm gonna be like him.                 + CHORUS

 

 

 

       D                                      C 

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon,

 F                                  G

little boy blue and the man on the moon.

      D                                                 C

”When you comin' home, Dad?”  “I don't know when.

F                     C          D                

    We'll get together then.

  F                          C              D      ~

You know we'll have a good time then.”

 

 

               D                                        F

    3. Well, he came from college just the other day,

   G                                D

    so much like a man I just had to say,

      D                                 F

    ”I'm proud of you. Could you sit for a while?”

      G                               D

    He shook his head and he said with a smile,

              C           Em               Am                   

    ”What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys,

F                C                D

    see you later, can I have them please?”

 

     + CHORUS   +   Bb - C - Am – D        D - Bb -  C - Am  – D      

 

            D                                 F

4. Well, I've long since retired, my son's moved away.

G                                       D

    I called him up just the other day.

             D                         F                      

    I said: “I'd like to see you if you don't mind.”

                 G                                D

    He said: “I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time.

                  C              Em                    Am

    You see, my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu,

         F            C             D

    but it's sure nice talking to you, Dad.

  F             C             D

    It’s sure nice talking to you.”

 

               C                 Em          Am 

    And as he hung up the phone it occured to me,

      F            C          D           F           C          D  

    he'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.

 

+ CHORUS  (2x)           (capo 1st)          (Ugly Kid Joe)