Cats In The Cradle
View chords used in this chart
The music says CAPO 8 (key of F) but I usually play it CAPO 5 (key of D),
since that's in my range.
INTRO:
A(no 3rd)
e|--0-0---|20------|--------|----|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
B|--------|--0-3---|0----0--|--0-|--------|--------|------0-|--------|--------|
G|2-------|---2----|---2----|0---|2-------|20------|----0---|2-------|--------|
D|--------|--------|--------|----|----2---|--2-0---|--------|--------|--------|
A|--------|--------|--------|----|--------|---3--3-|0-------|--------|--------|
E|--------|--------|--------|----|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
A C
My child arrived just the other day;
D A
he came into the world in the usual way.
A C
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
D A
He learned to walk while I was away.
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it. And as he grew
C Em/B A C Em/B A
he'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad. You know I'm gonna be like you."
A G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C D
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A G
"When you comin' home Dad?" "I don't know when,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but we'll get together then, Son. You know we'll have a good time then."
A(no 3rd)
e|--0-0---|20------|--------|----|--------|
B|--------|--0-3---|0----0--|--0-|--------|
G|2-------|---2----|---2----|0---|2-------|
D|--------|--------|--------|----|--------|
A|--------|--------|--------|----|--------|
E|--------|--------|--------|----|--------|
A C
My son turned ten just the other day.
D A
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad. Come on, let's play.
A C
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today.
D A
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's okay."
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed.
C Em/B A C Em/B A
It said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah. You know I'm gonna be like him."
A G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C D
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A G
"When you comin' home Dad?" "I don't know when,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but we'll get together then, Son. You know we'll have a good time then."
A(no 3rd)
e|--0-0---|20------|--------|----|--------|
B|--------|--0-3---|0----0--|--0-|--------|
G|2-------|---2----|---2----|0---|2-------|
D|--------|--------|--------|----|--------|
A|--------|--------|--------|----|--------|
E|--------|--------|--------|----|--------|
A C
Well, he came home from college just the other day,
D A
so much like a man I just had to say,
A C
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
D A
He shook his head and he said with a smile,
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys.
C Em/B A
See you later. Can I have them please?"
A G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C D
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A G
"When you comin' home Son?" "I don't know when,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but we'll get together then, Dad. You know we'll have a good time then."
F G Em A
F G Em A
(Slower)
A C
I've long since retired, my son's moved away.
D A
I called him up just the other day.
A C
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
D A
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time.
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
You see, my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad. It's been sure nice talkin' to you."
G G/F# Em7 Em/D
And as I hung up the phone it occured to me,
C Em/B A(no 3rd) C Em/B A
he'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.
(Tempo I)
A G
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C D
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A G
"When you comin' home Son?" "I don't know when,
C Em/B A C Em/B A
but we'll get together then, Dad, we're gonna have a good time then."
A(no 3rd) A
e|--0-0---|20------|--------|----|0-------|--------|
B|--------|--0-3---|0----0--|--0-|2-------|--------|
G|2-------|---2----|---2----|0---|2-------|--------|
D|--------|--------|--------|----|2-------|--------|
A|--------|--------|--------|----|0-------|--------|
E|--------|--------|--------|----|0-------|--------|
How to play Cats In The Cradle
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is F. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.