No Cats in the Cradle

©1996 Dave Clegg

Got a big surprise letter 

From my long-lost dad. 

Guess he realized what he had missed 

And he felt real bad.

Said, “Son, we’re not getting younger

And time keeps slipping away.

I’d love to come and see you.

Would it be OK?”

I was on my way back to work

For a little overtime. 

But as I folded up the letter,

Something changed my mind.

That old song, “Cats in the Cradle”

Popped into my head.

I looked into the eyes 

Of my little boy and said,

There won’t be no “Cats in the Cradle”

There won’t be no sad regrets.

There won’t be no “Wish I would’ve been there.”

When that sun’s about to set. 

There won’t be no “Cat’s in the Cradle”. 

There won’t be no mournful tears.

There won’t be no “might have been”

When I’m in my final years. 

For the longest time 

I let the bridges burn.

Said, “Maybe I’ll do things better

When it comes my turn." 

But when I saw the pain

My dad was feeling now,

I traded in the “maybe”

For a solemn vow.

I’m building back the bridges now

With my Old Man.

And he’s trying to make up for lost time

The best he can.

The kids sure love to see him 

Walking through the door.

Now, he’s not quite the stranger

That he was before. 

There won’t be no “Cats in the Cradle”

There won’t be no sad regrets.

There won’t be no “Wish I would’ve bee there.”

When that sun’s about to set. 

There won’t be no “Cat’s in the Cradle”. 

There won’t be no mournful tears.

There won’t be no “Might have been”

When I’m in my final years.