这是一首一九七四年的 No. 1 歌曲。Happy Chapin 等唱摇滚长大的一代七十年代已进入中年时期，开始反思代差的隔阂。Happy Chapin 的儿子出生的时候，因为巡回演出，他也没能亲眼目睹孩子的降生。可以说这首歌是他有感而发而创作的。歌里反复出现那句震撼心灵的句子 "We'll get together then, son/you know we are going to have a good time then"道出了美国工作狂们因忙碌而没时间陪孩子玩的故事。
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