【經典之歌】-摇籃中的猫 Cat's in the Cradle 小毛－從台灣聽世界

【經典之歌】-摇籃中的猫 Cat's in the Cradle 小毛

一首探討親子關係的歌

Cat's in the Cradle收錄在1974年所發的「Verities & Balderdash-真理與妄言」專輯，曾登上Billboard全美排行冠軍，當年美軍電台常常播放此曲。Harry Chapin因這首歌入圍當年葛萊美獎，於頒獎典禮上自彈自唱唱此曲，可惜槓龜並未得獎。有人說Harry Chapin因經常忙碌於旅行演唱，發現自己疏於陪伴兒子，因而寫下這首描寫親子關係的歌，歌詞中的父親因為過於忙碌而錯過兒子成長的點滴，孩子長大後也有樣學樣的回應在親子的互動。不過的Harry Chapin的兒子Josh Chapin在1999年出版的Harry Chapin三張一套紀念專輯Story of a life的內頁解說中提到：「這首歌和我無關，是老爸在演唱會上隨手拈來的旋律，再配上老媽寫給前夫及公公的一首詩就完成了。」

試聽 http://www.kkbox.com.tw/funky/web_info/vK4RfHlmp9csKT200Fym008l.html

Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin (lyrics by Sandra Chapin).

摇籃中的猫 Harry Chapin曲(Sandra Chapin詞)。中譯：小毛

My 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 'fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you."

我的孩子出生沒幾天，他同常人一般來到這世界。但我要趕搭飛機，而且還有賬單待支付。當我離家時他學會了行走，在我知曉前他已學會說話並長大，他說"我將會像你一樣，爸爸，你知道我將會像你一樣。"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

摇籃中的猫銜著銀湯匙,憂鬱的小男孩遙望月亮上的男人。"爸爸，我不知道你何時回家? 但是我們終將聚首，你知道我們將擁有美好時光。"

My son turned ten just the other day.
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play.
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok."
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmmed,
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I'm gonna be like him."

前幾天我的兒子滿十歲。他說" 謝謝您送的球，爸爸，我們一起來打球，您能教我投球嗎?" 我說"今天不行，我有很多事要做。" 他說"好吧。"然後走開，然而他的微笑從未暗淡。喃喃的說"我將會像他一樣，是的，我將會像他一樣。"

摇籃中的猫銜著銀湯匙,憂鬱的小男孩遙望月亮上的男人。"爸爸，我不知道你何時回家? 但是我們終將聚首，你知道我們將擁有美好時光。"

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?"

有一天他從學院回來，好像大人一樣，"兒子, 我以你為傲，你能坐一會兒嗎?" 他搖著頭，帶著微笑說"，我真正地想要的是借用汽車鑰匙。待會兒見，能把鑰匙給我嗎?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

摇籃中的猫銜著銀湯匙,憂鬱的小男孩遙望月亮上的男人。"爸爸，我不知道你何時回家? 但是我們終將聚首，你知道我們將擁有美好時光。"

I've long since retired and my son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got 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 occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.

我退休已久，兒子也已搬走。某天我打電話給他，我說"如果你不介意我很想看看你。" 他說"爸爸，我很願意，如果我能撥出時間的話。你知道，我的新工作很忙，小孩又得了流感，爸爸能和你聊天真的很好，真的很好。" 當我掛電話時，我發覺，他長得就像我一樣，我的小男孩就像我一樣。