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Version 1 Version 2 Version 4Capo First Fret Key of F [Verse 1] E G A child arrived just the other day A E He came to the world in the usual way E G But there were planes to catch and bills to pay A E He learned to walk while I was away D D/C# D/B D/A And he was talkin 'fore I knew it and as he grew he'd say D/G D/F# E I'm gonna be like you, dad G G/F# E You know I'm gonna be like you [Chorus] E D And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon G A Little boy blue and the man in the moon E D When you coming home Dad, I don't know when G E But we'll get together then G E You know we'll have a good time then. [Verse 2] E G My son turned ten just the other day A E He said thanks for the ball dad, c'mon let's play E G Can you teach me to throw, I said "not today; A E I got a lot to do", he said "that's okay" D D/C# D/B D/A And he, he walked away but his smile never dimmed, he said D/G D/F# E "I'm gonna be like him, yeah G G/F# E You know I'm gonna be like him" [Chorus] E D And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon G A Little boy blue and the man in the moon E D When you comin' home Dad, I don't know when G E but we'll get together then G E you know we'll have a good time then. [Verse 3] E G Well, he came home college just the other day A E So much like a man, I just had to say E G "Son I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?" A E He shook his head and he said with a smile D D/C# D/B D/A "What I'd really like Dad is to borrow the car keys. D/G D/F# E See you later, can I have them please?" [Chorus] E D And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon G A Little boy blue and the man in the moon E D When you comin' home son, I don't know when G E We'll get together then Dad G E You know we'll have a good time then. [Interlude] G G/F# D E G D A E [Bridge] 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 said "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 D/C# D/B D/A You see, my new job's a hassle and the kid's have the flu D/G D/F# E But it's sure nice talkin' to you dad G G/F# E It's been sure nice talkin' to you D D/C# D/B D/A And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me D/G D/F# E He'd grown up just like me G G/F# E My boy was just like me [Chorus] E D And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon G A Little boy blue and the man in the moon E D When you comin' home son, I don't know when G E We'll get together then Dad G E You know we'll have a good time then.