Puff The Magic Dragon

Song meaning of Puff The Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, and Mary

Since its 1963 debut, the ageless folk ballad "Puff the Magic Dragon" has captivated the hearts and minds of countless generations. The song, which was written by Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton of the folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary, narrates the story of a magical dragon named Puff who befriends a young child named Jackie Paper. The deeper meaning and symbolism of "Puff the Magic Dragon" have generated discussion despite the song's innocent melody and fanciful visuals.

Following the song's first popularity, there was conjecture—which dates back to a 1964 Newsweek article—that the song included subliminal references to consuming marijuana. According to rumours, the word "paper" in Puff's human friend Jackie Paper's name referred to rolling papers; the words "by the sea" meant "by the C" (as in cannabis); the word "mist" meant "smoke"; the land of "Honahlee" meant hashish; and the word "dragon" meant "draggin'" (an inhalation of smoke). Likewise, it was claimed that the name "Puff" was an allusion to "puffing" on a joint. In a 1984 letter to The New York Times, a member of the public asserted that the theory was well known.

The song's writers have vehemently and repeatedly denied that they meant any allusions to drug use, rejecting this interpretation time and time again. Yarrow has said, "'Puff, the Magic Dragon,' is not about drugs," as has Lipton. Yarrow has often clarified that the song has nothing to do with drug use and is instead about the struggles of ageing.

Lyrics of Puff The Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, and Mary

Puff, the magic dragon

Lived by the sea

And frolicked in the autumn mist

In a land called Honalee

Little Jackie Paper

Loved that rascal Puff

And brought him strings and sealing wax

And other fancy stuff

Oh, Puff, the magic dragon

Lived by the sea

And frolicked in the autumn mist

In a land called Honalee

Puff, the magic dragon

Lived by the sea

And frolicked in the autumn mist

In a land called Honalee

Together they would travel

On a boat with billowed sail

Jackie kept a look-out

Perched on Puff's gigantic tail

Noble kings and princes

Would bow whene'er they came

Pirate ships would lower their flags

When Puff roared out his name

Oh, Puff, the magic dragon

Lived by the sea

And frolicked in the autumn mist

In a land called Honalee

Puff, the magic dragon

Lived by the sea

And frolicked in the autumn mist

In a land called Honalee

A dragon lives forever

But not so, little boys

Painted wings and giants' rings

Make way for other toys

One grey night it happened

Jackie Paper came no more

And Puff, that mighty dragon

He ceased his fearless roar

His head was bent in sorrow

Green scales fell like rain

Puff no longer went to play

Along the cherry lane

Without his lifelong friend

Puff could not be brave

So Puff, that mighty dragon

Sadly slipped into his cave

Oh, Puff, the magic dragon

Lived by the sea

And frolicked in the autumn mist

In a land called Honalee

Puff, the magic dragon

Lived by the sea

And frolicked in the autumn mist

In a land called Honalee