This morning, I went out to my Secret Garden and was greeted by my little kitten in the hammock, which hangs on our pergola ….as I paused, I smiled and my thoughts drifted to the song “The Cat’s in the Cradle”! As you can see, this little kitten is sleeping away ….. dreaming of the little gold fish above her head and most content!
It’s the beginning of a New Year… and a time when most people want to make positive changes in their lives, and in my humble opinion, the lyrics to the song “The Cat’s in the Cradle” is a good song to reflect upon.
The song was first recorded in 1974 by Harry Chapin. It was written by his wife Sandra Chapin as a poem. Harry Chapin said it applied to him and his son Josh, which made it so very real and personal to him. It is said that Harry Chapin admitted, “Frankly, this song scares me to death”.
I am sure that almost everyone has heard this song. It has been recorded many times over the years by different artists.
The song’s chorus references several childhood rhymes and the verses are told in first-person by a father who appears too busy to spend time with his son. The son asks him to join in various activities such as playing catch, but the father never seems to have time and makes promises for another time…soon. Whether intentionally, or a son just wishing to spend more time with his father; the son starts to emulate his father, always vowing to be “just like him.”
It is inevitable that the last two verses show a role reversal between father and son. The father asks his grown-up son to spend time with him after his graduation…but the response is the same response given to the son by the father years before. Now, the son has a family and job responsibilities. The father wants to have a visit from his son, but the son is too busy to find the time for his father.
The conclusion is the father realizes that he and his son are both alike saying “my boy was just like me.”. The last chorus makes it perfectly clear when the word “son” is substituted with the word “Dad”.
The Lyrics to the song “The Cat’s in the Cradle”
My child arrived just the other day
He 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
And he was talkin’ ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
He’d say “I’m gonna be like you dad,
You know I’m gonna be like you.
Chorus:
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home Dad?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then,
You know we’ll have a good time then.
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 ok”!
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed and he said
“I’m gonna be like him, yeah,
You know I’m gonna be like him”
Well, he came home from college just the other day,
So much like a man, I just had to say
“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head and then said with a smile,
“What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys,
See you later, can I have them please?”
I’ve long since 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 can find the time;
You see my new job’s a hassle and kids have the flu,
But it’s been sure nice talking to you, dad,
Its sure been nice talking 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!
And the cat’s 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, but we’ll get together then Dad,
You know we’ll have a good time then.
If you would like to hear the song sung by Harry Chapin, please click on my “Featured Video” on the upper right side of my Home Page.
The song is a sad song …..BUT it doesn’t have to be the future for all of us in 2014. Let’s take time as we get further into the New Year for our families, whether Mother/Father/Sister or Brother….I just recently reconnected with my sister who I had lost track of the last couple years and I am so glad. 🙂
We need to have a good time now….not soon. 🙂
Have a wonderful day my Blogging Buddies and I hope it’s warm in your part of the world. Most importantly, stay safe!
Me
Oh, Kari, that touched a chord in my heart. Just recently, I’ve talked to two long distant friends that I kept putting off calling them. I do call my family and talk to them often.
Hugs,
Sandy