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Cats In The Cradle

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4.6318 votes

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[Verse 1]
A Echild arrived just the Gother day
He Acame to the world in the Eusual way
But there were Eplanes to catch and Gbills to pay
AHe learned to walk while EI was away
And he was Dtalking 'fore I knew it and as he grew he'd say:
G"I'm gonna be like Eyou, Dad
You Gknow I'm gonna be like Eyou"
[Chorus]
And the Ecat's in the cradle and the Gsilver spoon
GLittle boy blue and the Aman in the moon
EWhen you coming home Dad, "I Gdon't know when
but Dwe'll get together tEhen
You Gknow we'll have a good time Ethen"
[Verse 2]
My Eson turned ten just the Gother day
He said "AThanks for the ball Dad, c'Emon, let's play
Can you Eteach me to throw?" I said "GNot today
I Agot a lot to do", he said "EThat's okay"
And he Dwalked away but his smile never did, it said
G"I'm gonna be like Ehim, yeah
You Gknow I'm gonna be like Ehim"
[Chorus]
And the Ecat's in the cradle and the Gsilver spoon
GLittle boy blue and the Aman in the moon
EWhen you coming home Dad, "I Gdon't know when
but Dwe'll get together tEhen
You Gknow we'll have a good time Ethen"
[Verse 3]
He Ecame from college just the Gother day
So Amuch like a man I just Ehad to say
"Son, I'm Eproud of you, can you Gsit for a while?"
AHe shook his head and he Esaid with a smile
"What I'd Dreally like Dad, is to borrow the car keys
 GSee you later, can I Ehave them please?"
[Chorus]
And the Ecat's in the cradle and the Gsilver spoon
GLittle boy blue and the Aman in the moon
EWhen you coming home Son, "I Gdon't know when
but Dwe'll get together tEhen, Dad
You Gknow we'll have a good time Ethen"
[Verse 4]
Now EI've retired, my son Gmoved away
I Acalled him up just the Eother day
I said "I'd Elike to see you if Gyou don't mind
He said "I'd Alove to Dad, if I could Efind the time
My Dnew job's a hassle and the kid's got the flu
but it's Gnice talkin' to Eyou, Dad
It's Gsure nice talkin' to Eyou"
[Bridge]
As I Dhung up the phone it occurred to me
he'd Ggrown up just like Eme
My Gboy was just like Eme
[Chorus]
And the Ecat's in the cradle and the Gsilver spoon
GLittle boy blue and the Aman in the moon
EWhen you coming home Son, "I Gdon't know when
but Dwe'll get together Ethen, Dad
We're Ggonna have a good time Ethen"

All chords in this song (4)

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Cats In The Cradle

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[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

And he was talking 'fore I knew it and as he grew he'd say:

G E

"I'm gonna be like you, Dad

G E

You know I'm gonna be like you"

[Chorus]

E G

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon

G A

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

E G

When you coming home Dad, "I don't know when

D 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"

And he walked away but his smile never did, it said

G E

"I'm gonna be like him, yeah

G E

You know I'm gonna be like him"

[Chorus]

E G

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon

G A

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

E G

When you coming home Dad, "I don't know when

D E

but we'll get together then

G E

You know we'll have a good time then"

[Verse 3]

E G

He came from 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

"What I'd really like Dad, is to borrow the car keys

G E

See you later, can I have them please?"

[Chorus]

E G

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon

G A

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

E G

When you coming home Son, "I don't know when

D E

but we'll get together then, Dad

G E

You know we'll have a good time then"

[Verse 4]

E G

Now I've retired, my son 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

My new job's a hassle and the kid's got the flu

G E

but it's nice talkin' to you, Dad

G E

It's sure nice talkin' to you"

[Bridge]

As I hung up the phone it occurred to me

G E

he'd grown up just like me

G E

My boy was just like me

[Chorus]

E G

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon

G A

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

E G

When you coming home Son, "I don't know when

D E

but we'll get together then, Dad

G E

We're gonna have a good time then"

About Cats In The Cradle Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play Cats In The Cradle by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Cats In The Cradle chords”, “Cats In The Cradle guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash Cats In The Cradle chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Cats In The Cradle chords and for experienced players who want accurate Cats In The Cradle lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, G, A, D.

FAQ — Cats In The Cradle by Johnny Cash

How do I play "Cats In The Cradle" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Cats In The Cradle" by Johnny Cash on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Cats In The Cradle" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "Cats In The Cradle" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Cats In The Cradle" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Cats In The Cradle" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Cats In The Cradle"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Cats In The Cradle" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Cats In The Cradle" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Cats In The Cradle" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "Cats In The Cradle" in?

The chords for "Cats In The Cradle" show the original chord names (including E, G, A, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.