My health went down hill at 39. At 40 you begin to think of your memories as a teenager and wish you could remember them to tell your children. You begin to see the lack of immortality in your parents and see yourself as they were when you were younger. You like how some things turned out while you realize other things will never be realized. At 40 you read obituaries and realize many are your age. You realize some will never respect you for your age and still treat you as a kid even when you may be their age or even older.
Irregardless to the singer, the words become more meaningful and you realize life is short and you want to slow it down.
Cat Stevens Cats in the Cradle Lyrics:
Cats in the Cradle
by Harry Chapin
A 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 talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I'm gonna be like you"
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, Dad, I don't know when,
But we'll get together then,
We're gonna have a good time then.
My son turned ten just the other day
He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play
can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do" He said "Thats okay"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm going to be like him"
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, Dad, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then,
We're gonna have a good time then.
Well he came 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 he 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 cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad
We're gonna 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 "Id like to see you if you don't mind"
He said "Id love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the 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 had occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me..............
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad
You know we'll have a good time then.
