Cats, Cradles And Silver Spoons

written by H.Chapin and S.Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
Came 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 talkin' 'fore I knew it
And as he grew he said
"I'm gonna be like you, Dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man 'n 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
Could you teach me to throw ?" I said, "Not today
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's okay"
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 cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man 'n 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, 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´m feeling like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later. Can I have them please"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man 'n 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"
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 a hassle and the kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talkin' to you"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

Came across an article today in 'LIFE' by one of my fav columnist about how this song meant much to him and how he tries to make sure he doesn't end up like the Dad in the song. Read the article here.

Ok call me dense but I've always liked this song yet never paid much heed to the lyrics. After reading the article, I skimmed thru the lyrics line by line and Wow!! I had no idea rock songs could be so heart-wrenching!!

Got me thinking about me and THE DON and how we'd better not end up like that!! I mean as it is, THE DON is always super busy. Kinda understandable I guess, as he is still in the midst of building his business. And considering how well he's done I must say I'm darn proud of him. But when we have kids, and we will, Insyallah!, they wun b able to see him much. I just hope that even then he will make time, like he does now by making sure he sends and fetches me to & from work every day, so that at least we get to talk on the way.

It'll be so sad if our kids had to be tended to by hired help like most of the kids nowadays. Of course the other alternative will be for me to turn home-maker. Alright if I get to be a DATIN I guess.... hahahhaa. Then I can pursue my studies n who knows even start my own business... hhmmmmmmmmm