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 | -------- | -------- | -------- | ---- | -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- |
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------- | -------- |
