Intro: F  Eb F

   F                      Ab
My child arrived just the other day
   Bb                        F
He came to the world in the usual way
                                   Ab
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
   Bb                       F
He learned to walk while I was away
           Eb               Bb            Cm    Bb
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
              Ab     Cm      F
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
    Ab              Cm      F
You know I'm gonna be like you"


        F                           Eb
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Ab                       Bb
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
F 
When you comin' home dad?
  Eb                    Ab           Cm     F
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
    Ab                 Cm        F
You know we'll have a good time then

Interlude: F  Eb F

   F                       Ab
My son turned ten just the other day
          Bb                         F
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
                                    Ab
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
  Bb                           F
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
       Eb       Bb           Cm          Bb
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
               Ab     Cm           F
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
    Ab              Cm      F
You know I'm gonna be like him"


        F                           Eb
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Ab                       Bb
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
F
When you comin' home dad?
  Eb                    Ab           Cm     F
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
    Ab                 Cm        F
You know we'll have a good time then

Interlude: F  Eb F

         F                               Ab
Well, he came home from college just the other day
Bb                         F
So much like a man I just had to say
                                Ab
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
   Bb                  F
He shook his head and said with a smile
          Eb            Bb          Cm             Bb
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
Ab                    F
See you later, can I have them please?"


        F                           Eb
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Ab                       Bb
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
F
When you comin' home son?
  Eb                    Ab           Cm     F
I don't know when, but we'll get together then 
    Ab                 Cm        F
You know we'll have a good time then

Interlude -x2-: Db Eb Cm F

     F                      Ab
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
  Bb                      F
I called him up just the other day
                                Ab
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
              Bb                      F
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
           Eb           Bb          Cm            Bb
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
         Ab         Cm         F
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
          Ab         Cm         F
It's been sure nice talking to you"


    Eb                Bb          Cm        Bb
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
     Ab        Cm        F
He'd grown up just like me
   Ab       Cm        F
My boy was just like me


        F                           Eb
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Ab                       Bb
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
F
When you comin' home son?
  Eb                    Ab           Cm     F
I don't know when, but we'll get together then 
    Ab                 Cm        F
You know we'll have a good time then

Outro: F Eb  F