As published in "Harry Chapin: A Legacy in Song"
(c) 1987 Cherry Lane Music Co., Inc.
IMHO, this is a better version that the simplified version that was/is on
ftp.nevada.edu.
TAB: each space represents an eigth note
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 | -------- | -------- | -------- | ---- | -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- |
A5 C5
My child arrived just the other day;
D5 A5
he came into the world in the usual way.
A5 C5
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
D5 A5
He learned to walk while I was away.
G5 G5 E5 E5
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it. And as he grew
C5 E5 A5 C5 E5 A5
he'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad. You know I'm gonna be like you."
A5 G5
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C5 D5
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A5 G5
"When you comin' home Dad?" "I don't know when,
C5 E5 A5 C5 E5 A5
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 | -------- | -------- | -------- | ---- | -------- |
A5 C5
My son turned ten just the other day.
D5 A5
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad. Come on, let's play.
A5 C5
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today.
D5 A5
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's okay."
G5 G5 E5 E5
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed.
C5 E5 A5 C5 E5 A5
It said, "I'm gonna be like him , yeah. You know I'm gonna be like him."
A5 G5
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C5 D5
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A5 G5
"When you comin' home Dad?" "I don't know when,
C5 E5 A5 C5 E5 A5
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 | -------- | -------- | -------- | ---- | -------- |
A5 C5
Well, he came home from college just the other day,
D5 A5
so much like a man I just had to say,
A5 C5
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
D5 A5
He shook his head and he said with a smile,
G5 G5 E5 E5
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys.
C5 E5 A5
See you later. Can I have them please?"
A5 G5
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C5 D5
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A5 G5
"When you comin' home Son?" "I don't know when,
C5 E5 A5 C5 E5 A5
but we'll get together then, Dad. You know we'll have a good time then."
F G5 E5 A5
F G5 E5 A5
(Slower)
A5 C5
I've long since retired, my son's moved away.
D5 A5
I called him up just the other day.
A5 C5
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
D5 A5
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time.
G5 G5 E5 E5
You see, my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu,
C5 E5 A5 C5 E5 A5
but it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad. It's been sure nice talkin' to you."
G5 G5 E5 E5
And as I hung up the phone it occured to me,
C5 E5 A5 (no 3rd) C5 E5 A5
he'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.
(Tempo I)
A5 G5
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
C5 D5
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
A5 G5
"When you comin' home Son?" "I don't know when,
C5 E5 A5 C5 E5 A5
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------- | -------- |
