Cat's in the Cradle

這一首歌曲, 也是關於父與子的故事

為人父母的, 在兒女成長過程中, 有沒有錯過了甚麼?

為人子女的, 又肯花多少時間陪伴 (=應酬) 父母?

不好好把握現在, 錯失了的, 只會成為將來的遺憾!

Cat's in the Cradle (1974)

Artist  :  Harry Chapin

Writer : Sandy Chapin (his wife)

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say " I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you "

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
" When you comin' home dad? "
" I don't know when, but we'll get together then 
You know we'll have a good time then "

My son turned ten just the other day
He said,  "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
" When you comin' home dad? "
" I don't know when, but we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then "

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
" When you comin' home son? "
" I don't know when, but we'll get together then dad
You know we'll have a good time then "

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
" When you comin' home son? "
" I don't know when, but we'll get together then Dad
You know we'll have a good time then "

Harry Chapin 生於 1942 年, 在 1981 年 38 歲時因車禍去世,

數十年過去, 妻子老了, 兒子長大了