A Song for the Ages (Sorry, Harry Chapin)

Harry Chapin, folk/rock singer is a very special songwriter. I just happen to have copies of most of the things he wrote including Cotton Patch Gospels. (I highly recommend it). Well, here is Harry's anthem to hurried and confounded family life. It has a slight twist from what you all may remember.

Archbishop arrived just the other day
He came to San Joaquin in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to talk while he was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you John David
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Baby Blue and Matt K on the moon
When you comin' home Archbishop?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then John David
You know we'll have a good time then

The lawsuit turned one just the other day
John David said, "Thanks for the letter, Greg, come on let's pray
Can you teach me to pray", He said "Not today
I got a lot to do", John said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And John said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Baby Blue and Matt K on the moon
When you comin' home Archbishop?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then John David
You know we'll have a good time then


Well, Greg came home from GAFCON just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Greg, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, John David, is to borrow the church keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Baby Blue and Matt K on the moon
When you comin' home Archbishop?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then John David
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my Greggie'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, John, if I can find the time
You see my ACNA's a hassle and Primates have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, John David
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
Greg grew up just like me
My Archbishop was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Baby Blue and Matt K on the moon
When you comin' home Archbishop?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then John David
You know we'll have a good time then