| My child arrived just the other day
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| He came to the world in the usual way
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| But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
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| He learned to walk while I was away
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| And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
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| He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, dad"
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| "You know I'm gonna be like you"
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| And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
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| Little boy blue and the man in the moon
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| "When you coming home, dad?" | 
| "I don't know when"
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| But we'll get together then
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| You know we'll have a good time then
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| My son turned ten just the other day
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| He said, thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play
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| Can you teach me to throw, I said, not today
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| I got a lot to do, he said, that's okay
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| And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
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| It said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah
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| You know I'm gonna be like him
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| And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
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| Little boy blue and the man in the moon
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| "When you coming home, dad?" | 
| "I don't know when"
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| But we'll get together then
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| You know we'll have a good time then
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| Well, he came from college just the other day
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| So much like a man I just had to say
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| Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?
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| He shook his head, and he said with a smile
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| What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
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| See you later, can I have them please?
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| And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
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| Little boy blue and the man in the moon
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| "When you coming home, son?" | 
| "I don't know when"
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| But we'll get together then, dad
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| You know we'll have a good time then
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| I've long since retired and my son's moved away
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| I called him up just the other day
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| I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
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| He said, I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time
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| You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kids have the flu
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| But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
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| It's been sure nice talking to you
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| And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
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| He'd grown up just like me
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| My boy was just like me
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| And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
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| Little boy blue and the man in the moon
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| "When you coming home, son?" | 
| "I don't know when"
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| But we'll get together then, dad
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| We're gonna have a good time then |