Henry's Songbook

The child was born the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
There were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk when I was away
And he was talking before I knew it, and as he grew
He said, I'm gonna be like you, Dad, I'm going to be like you

1st chorus:
The cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you're coming home, Dad? - I don't know when
But we'll get together then, Son, we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten the other day
He said, Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on, let's play
Will you teach me to throw? I said, Not today
I've got a lot to do. He said, That's O. K.
As he walked away his smile never dimmed; he said
I'm gonna be like him, I'm going to be like him

1st chorus

Then he came from college the other day
So much like a man that I had to say
Son, I'm proud of you, will 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?

2nd chorus:
The cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you're coming home, Son? - I don't know when
But we'll get together then, Dad, we'll have a good time then"

Now I've retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
He said, I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time
See, my new job's a hassle, the kids had the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
Sure nice talking to you

2nd chorus:

As I hung up the phone it occurred to me
My boy was just like me
He'd grown up just like me

As sung by Iain MacKintosh

[1996:] Last year a group called Ugly Kid Joe got hold of this song and put it into the charts, but they changed it a lot. (Iain MacKintosh, intro Kiel)