https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat%27s_in_the_Cradle
 
Capo I
 
D  C D
 
   D                      F
My child arrived just the other day
   G                        D
He came to the world in the usual way
                                   F
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
   G                       D
He learned to walk while I was away
           C               G            Am    G
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
              F     Am      D
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
    F              Am      D
You know I'm gonna be like you"
 
        D                           C
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
F                       G
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
D
When you comin' home dad?
  C                    F           Am     D
I don't know when, but we'll get together then 
    F                 Am        D
You know we'll have a good time then
 
D  C D
 
   D                       F
My son turned ten just the other day
          G                         D
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
                                    F
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
  G                           D
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
       C       G           Am          G
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
               F     Am      D
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
    F              Am      D
You know I'm gonna be like him"
 
        D                           C
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
F                       G
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
D
When you comin' home dad?
  C                    F           Am     D
I don't know when, but we'll get together then 
    F                 Am        D
You know we'll have a good time then
 
D  C D
 
         D                               F
Well, he came home from college just the other day
G                         D
So much like a man I just had to say
                                F
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
   G                  D
He shook his head and said with a smile
          C            G          Am             G
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
F       Am           D
See you later, can I have them please?"
 
        D                           C
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
F                       G
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
D
When you comin' home son?
  C                    F           Am     D
I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Dad 
    F                 Am        D
You know we'll have a good time then
 
A# C Am D  2x
 
     D                      F
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
  G                      D
I called him up just the other day
                                F
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
              G                      D
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
           C           G          Am            G
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
         F         Am         D
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
          F         Am         D
It's been sure nice talking to you"
 
    C                G          Am        G
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
     F        Am        D
He'd grown up just like me
   F       Am        D
My boy was just like me
 
        D                           C
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
F                       G
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
D
When you comin' home son?
  C                    F           Am     D
I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Dad 
    F                 Am        D
You know we'll have a good time then
 
D  C D