Folk, Rock

Cats in the Cradle Chords

Harry Chapin Beginner Key of G 5 Chords 4 min read

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Harry Chapin’s poignant folk-rock ballad about a father and son’s relationship over the years. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

My child arrived just the other day

C G

He came to the world in the usual way

D Em

But there were planes to catch and bills to pay

C G

He learned to walk while I was away

C G D

And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew he’d say

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 2

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 3

G

My son turned ten just the other day

C G

He said, “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play

D Em

Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today

C G

I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s okay”

C G D

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed, it said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah”

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 4

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 5

G

Well, he came from college just the other day

C G

So much like a man I just had to say

D Em

“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”

C G

He shook his head and he said with a smile

C G

“What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys

D

See you later, can I have them please?”

Verse 6

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 7

G

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away

C G

I called him up just the other day

D Em

I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”

C G

He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time

C G

You see, my new job’s a hassle and the kids have the flu

D

But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad”

Verse 8

G

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me

C G

He’d grown up just like me

D Em

My boy was just like me

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Outro

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (G, C, D, Em). Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Harry Chapin’s poignant folk-rock ballad about a father and son’s relationship over the years. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

My child arrived just the other day

C G

He came to the world in the usual way

D Em

But there were planes to catch and bills to pay

C G

He learned to walk while I was away

C G D

And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew he’d say

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 2

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 3

G

My son turned ten just the other day

C G

He said, “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play

D Em

Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today

C G

I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s okay”

C G D

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed, it said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah”

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 4

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 5

G

Well, he came from college just the other day

C G

So much like a man I just had to say

D Em

“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”

C G

He shook his head and he said with a smile

C G

“What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys

D

See you later, can I have them please?”

Verse 6

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 7

G

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away

C G

I called him up just the other day

D Em

I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”

C G

He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time

C G

You see, my new job’s a hassle and the kids have the flu

D

But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad”

Verse 8

G

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me

C G

He’d grown up just like me

D Em

My boy was just like me

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Outro

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (G, C, D, Em). Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Harry Chapin’s poignant folk-rock ballad about a father and son’s relationship over the years. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

My child arrived just the other day

C G

He came to the world in the usual way

D Em

But there were planes to catch and bills to pay

C G

He learned to walk while I was away

C G D

And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew he’d say

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 2

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 3

G

My son turned ten just the other day

C G

He said, “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play

D Em

Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today

C G

I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s okay”

C G D

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed, it said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah”

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 4

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 5

G

Well, he came from college just the other day

C G

So much like a man I just had to say

D Em

“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”

C G

He shook his head and he said with a smile

C G

“What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys

D

See you later, can I have them please?”

Verse 6

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 7

G

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away

C G

I called him up just the other day

D Em

I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”

C G

He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time

C G

You see, my new job’s a hassle and the kids have the flu

D

But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad”

Verse 8

G

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me

C G

He’d grown up just like me

D Em

My boy was just like me

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Outro

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (G, C, D, Em). Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Harry Chapin’s poignant folk-rock ballad about a father and son’s relationship over the years. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

My child arrived just the other day

C G

He came to the world in the usual way

D Em

But there were planes to catch and bills to pay

C G

He learned to walk while I was away

C G D

And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew he’d say

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 2

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 3

G

My son turned ten just the other day

C G

He said, “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play

D Em

Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today

C G

I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s okay”

C G D

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed, it said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah”

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 4

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 5

G

Well, he came from college just the other day

C G

So much like a man I just had to say

D Em

“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”

C G

He shook his head and he said with a smile

C G

“What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys

D

See you later, can I have them please?”

Verse 6

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 7

G

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away

C G

I called him up just the other day

D Em

I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”

C G

He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time

C G

You see, my new job’s a hassle and the kids have the flu

D

But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad”

Verse 8

G

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me

C G

He’d grown up just like me

D Em

My boy was just like me

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Outro

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (G, C, D, Em). Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Harry Chapin’s poignant folk-rock ballad about a father and son’s relationship over the years. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

My child arrived just the other day

C G

He came to the world in the usual way

D Em

But there were planes to catch and bills to pay

C G

He learned to walk while I was away

C G D

And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew he’d say

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 2

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 3

G

My son turned ten just the other day

C G

He said, “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play

D Em

Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today

C G

I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s okay”

C G D

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed, it said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah”

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 4

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 5

G

Well, he came from college just the other day

C G

So much like a man I just had to say

D Em

“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”

C G

He shook his head and he said with a smile

C G

“What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys

D

See you later, can I have them please?”

Verse 6

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 7

G

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away

C G

I called him up just the other day

D Em

I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”

C G

He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time

C G

You see, my new job’s a hassle and the kids have the flu

D

But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad”

Verse 8

G

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me

C G

He’d grown up just like me

D Em

My boy was just like me

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Outro

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (G, C, D, Em). Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Harry Chapin’s poignant folk-rock ballad about a father and son’s relationship over the years. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

My child arrived just the other day

C G

He came to the world in the usual way

D Em

But there were planes to catch and bills to pay

C G

He learned to walk while I was away

C G D

And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew he’d say

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 2

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 3

G

My son turned ten just the other day

C G

He said, “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play

D Em

Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today

C G

I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s okay”

C G D

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed, it said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah”

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Verse 4

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, dad?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 5

G

Well, he came from college just the other day

C G

So much like a man I just had to say

D Em

“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”

C G

He shook his head and he said with a smile

C G

“What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys

D

See you later, can I have them please?”

Verse 6

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Verse 7

G

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away

C G

I called him up just the other day

D Em

I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”

C G

He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time

C G

You see, my new job’s a hassle and the kids have the flu

D

But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad”

Verse 8

G

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me

C G

He’d grown up just like me

D Em

My boy was just like me

Chorus

G C

”I’m gonna be like you, dad

G D

You know I’m gonna be like you”

Outro

G

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

C G

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

D Em

“When you comin’ home, son?” “I don’t know when”

C G

But we’ll get together then, dad

C G

You know we’ll have a good time then”

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (G, C, D, Em). Practice switching between G and C smoothly, as this is the most common transition in the song.