In The Cradle

In The Cradle
Gregg Metcalf
(February 3, 2012)

I extend my apologies to Mac (Scott) Davis who wrote both the words and music to the song this little ditty is based upon, In The Ghetto. I also apologize to Elvis Presley who recorded it in 1969 as a comeback hit - his first in over four years.


This song was originally entitled In the Ghetto (The Vicious Circle). Elvis's promoters pushed to have Davis drop the subtitle before they pitched it to Elvis.


 I am reflecting on my 57th birthday today and figured if I were to ever have a song written about my life, I would probably be the only one to think of it. So here goes:

As the snow flies

On a cold and gray Ohio night 

A brand new baby boy arrives 

In the cradle

And his mama cries

Cause there’s one thing that’s made her plead

It’s a little bundle of joy from daddy’s seed

In the cradle

Pro-choicer’s don’t you understand

He’s a gift from God’s own hand

He’ll grow to be a man of God one day

Give thanks for God’s grace

As we look upon his face

We cannot simply turn our heads

And fail to see

God’s plan for him

And a brand new baby boy with rosie cheeks

Lies next to his mother tucked in the sheets

In the cradle

And his faith is large

So he starts to preach the holy writ

And he learns how to pray

And he learns how to worship

From the cradle

Then one night with expectation

A young man makes a way

He buys a ring, asks the girl

Will she now share his world

And his mother cries

As a crowd gathers round a happy couple

They all know this family one day will double

In the cradle 

As this young couple waits

On a warm and blue California morn

Another little baby child is born

In the cradle

And her mamma cries