My child arrived just the other day  come 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  he was talking for a minute  and as he grew  he'd say I'm gonna be like you Dad  you know I'm gonna be like you    And the cats 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  we'll get together then  you know we'll have  a good time then    Well 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 o.k.  and he walked away and he  smiled and he said  you know I'm gonna be like him yeah  you know I'm gonna be like him    And the cats in the cradle ...    Well he came from college  just the other day  so much like a man I just had to say  I'm proud of you could you  sit for a while  he shook his head  and he 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 cats in the cradle ...    I've long since retired  my son's moved away  I called him up just the other day  I'd like to see you if you don't mind  he said  I'd love to Dad  if I could find the time  you see my new job's 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  I occured to me  he'd grown up just like me  my boy was just like me    And the cats in the cradle ...    And the cats in the cradle ...