E                      G
A child arrived just the other day
A                        E             
Came to the world in the usual way
                                   G
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay.
 A                         E
He learned to walk while I was away
D                           
He was talking 'fore I knew it and as he grew he said,
 G                  E
"I'm gonna be like you, dad,
 G                          E
You know I'm gonna be like you"


[Chorus]

    E                          D     
The cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
 G                     A
Little boy blue and a man on the moon
E                         D
When you comin' home son, I don't know when
G           D/F#       E
We'll get together then,
    G                 D/F#      E
You know we'll have a good time then


[Verse 2]

        E                G
Well my son turned ten just the other day
A                                  E
He said "Thanks for the ball dad, come on, let's play
E                                       G
Could you teach me to throw?", I said "Not today
A                             E
I got a lot to do", he said "That's OK"
D                                        G
And he walked away and he smiled and he said,
               E
"I'm gonna be like him, yeah,
G                           E
You know I'm gonna be like him"


[Chorus]

    E                          D     
The cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
 G                     A
Little boy blue and a man on the moon
E                         D
When you comin' home son, I don't know when
G           D/F#       E
We'll get together then,
    G                 D/F#      E
You know we'll have a good time then


[Verse 3]

E                          G
Well he came from college just the other day
A                              E
So much like a man I just have to say
 E                           G
I'm proud of you, could you sit for a while
A                         E
He shook his head and he said with a smile
  D
What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
G                  E
See you later, can I have them please 


[Chorus]

    E                          D     
The cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
 G                     A
Little boy blue and a man on the moon
E                         D
When you comin' home son, I don't know when
G           D/F#       E
We'll get together then,
    G                 D/F#      E
You know we'll have a good time then


[Bridge]

Three parts simultaneously 
Electrical guitar

C  D B  E
C  D B  E

[Verse 4]

E                            G
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
A                  E
I called him up just the other day
E                     G
I'd like to see you, if you don't mind
 A                          E
He said: I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
         D
You see, my new job a hassle and the kids have the flu,
 G                             E
But it's sure nice talking to you dad, 
G                     E
It's been sure nice talkin' to you


[Verse 5]

       D
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
 G                      E
He'd grown up just like me
G                     E
My boy was just like me!


[Chorus]

    E                          D     
The cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
 G                     A
Little boy blue and a man on the moon
E                         D
When you comin' home son, I don't know when
G           D/F#       E
We'll get together then,
    G                 D/F#      E
You know we'll have a good time then