Cat's In The Cradle

by Harry Chapin
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Lyrics

My (F)child ar rived just the (Ab)oth er day.

He He (Bb)came to the world in the (F)u su al way, but there were planes me to catch I and (Ab)bills to pay.

I got a He learned to walk while I (F)was a way.

And he was (Eb)talk in’ ’fore I (Eb)knew it, and (Eb)as he grew he’d say, (Ab)“I’m gon na (Cm)be like (F)you, Dad.

You (Ab)know I’m gon na (Cm)be like (F)you.”

And the cat’s in the cra dle and the (Eb)sil ver spoon, (Ab)lit tle boy blue and the man in the moon.

(F)“When you com in’ home, Dad?” “I (Eb)don’t know when, but (Ab)we’ll get to (Cm)geth er then.

You (Ab)know we’ll have a (Cm)good time (F)then.”

My

Well, he (F)came from col just the (Ab)oth er day, so (Bb)much like a man.

I just (F)had to say, “Son, I’m proud of you, can you (Ab)sit for a while?

He shook his head and he (F)said with a smile, “What I’d (Eb)real ly like, (Eb)Dad, is to (Cm7)bor row the (Eb)car keys.

See you (Cm)lat er.

Can I (F)have them, please?”

And the cat’s in the cra dle and the (Eb)sil ver spoon, (Ab)lit tle boy blue and the man in the moon.

(F)“When you com in’ home, son?” “I (Eb)don’t know when, but (Ab)we’ll get to (Cm)geth er then.

You (Ab)know we’ll have a (Cm)good time (F)then.”

I’ve long since re tired, my (Ab)son’s moved a way.

I called him up just the (F)oth er day.

I said, “I’d like to see you if (Ab)you don’t mind.” He said, “I’d (Bb)love to, Dad, if I can (F)find the time.

You see, my (Eb)new job’s a (Eb)has sle and the (Cm7)kids have the flu, but it’s (Ab)sure nice (Cm)talk in’ to (F)you, Dad.

It’s been (Ab)sure nice (Cm)talk in’ to (F)you.”

And as I (Eb)hung up the (Eb)phone, it oc (Cm7)curred to me, he’d (Ab)grown up (Cm)just like (F)me.

My (Ab)boy was (Cm)just like (F)me.

And the cat’s in the cra dle with the (Eb)sil ver spoon, (Ab)lit tle boy blue and the man in the moon.

(F)“When you com in’ home, son?” “I (Eb)don’t know when, but (Ab)we’ll get to (Cm)geth er then, Dad.

We’re (Ab)gon na have a (Cm)good time (F)then.”

Cat's In The Cradle — Easy Piano Notes for Beginners

6 people have learned this song

Learn "Cat's In The Cradle" on piano with easy notes — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded note names show exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of Bb, 160 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “Cat's In The Cradle

Can I play "Cat's In The Cradle" without reading sheet music?
Yes — Easy Notes mode prints the letter name (C, D, E…) directly on each note in big color-coded labels, so you can match colors to your keyboard without any traditional notation. The whole arrangement of "Cat's In The Cradle" is playable in minutes, even for first-time players.
What key is "Cat's In The Cradle" by Harry Chapin played in?
Cat's In The Cradle is arranged in the key of Bb on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Cat's In The Cradle"?
The arrangement plays at 160 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Cat's In The Cradle" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "Cat's In The Cradle"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Cat's In The Cradle"?
"Cat's In The Cradle" was originally performed by Harry Chapin. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Cat's In The Cradle"?
This arrangement uses 9 chords: Ab, Bb, Cm, Cm7, Db, Eb, F, Fpow, +1 more.
What other songs by Harry Chapin can I play here?
Try "Cat's In The Cradle", "Cat's In The Cradle". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can a complete beginner play "Cat's In The Cradle"?
Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "Cat's In The Cradle" is simplified for beginners.
Do I need to read music to play "Cat's In The Cradle"?
No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "Cat's In The Cradle" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.

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