Puff the Magic Dragon
Carpenters Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist
in a land called Honnah Lee
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 Honnah Lee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist
in a land called Honnah Lee

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout 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 Honnah Lee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist
in a land called Honnah Lee

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant 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 life-long 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 Honnah Lee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea




And frolicked in the autumn mist
in a land called Honnah Lee

Overall Meaning

"Puff the Magic Dragon" is a whimsical and beautifully melancholic song that tells the story of a friendly dragon named Puff who befriended a little boy named Jackie Paper. Puff lived by the sea in a place called Honnah Lee, and he and Jackie Paper would play together, traveling on a boat with billowed sails, perched on Puff's gigantic tail. Jackie brought Puff strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff, and they would frolic in the autumn mist, making noble kings and princes bow when they came and pirate ships lower their flags when Puff roared out his name.


But as the song progresses, we see that Jackie has grown up and left Puff behind, and Puff can no longer be brave without him. Puff becomes sad and lost, and his green scales fall like rain as he slips into his sad and lonely cave. This poignant ending makes the song not just whimsical but also poignant and heartbreaking, and it teaches listeners that growing up often means leaving things behind that we once loved, whether they be friends or childhood toys.


Line by Line Meaning

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
Puff was a magical dragon who lived near the ocean


And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honnah Lee
Puff enjoyed playing and having fun in a place known as Honnah Lee


Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff
A boy named Jackie Paper loved and cared for Puff


And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff, oh!
Jackie would bring Puff toys and trinkets to play with


Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Puff and Jackie would go on adventures together on a sailboat


Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail
Jackie rode on Puff's tail and looked out for any dangers on their journey


Noble kings and princes would bow whene'er they came
Puff and Jackie received respect and admiration from those they met


Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name, oh!
Even pirates acknowledged Puff's power and would surrender when confronted by him


A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
While Puff would live forever, Jackie was mortal and would eventually grow up


Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys
As Jackie grew up, he lost interest in playing with Puff and turned to different forms of play


One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
Jackie stopped visiting Puff without any explanation


And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar
Without Jackie, Puff became sad and lost his sense of adventure and bravery


His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff was devastated by the loss of his friend and wept green tears


Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Puff stopped going on adventures and playing along with Jackie on their usual route


Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave
Jackie was Puff's closest and truest friend who gave him the ability to be fearless


So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave, oh!
Feeling defeated and sad without Jackie, Puff retreated to his cave to be alone




Contributed by Gabriella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@robinhosleftfoot

Saw a comment above that gave alternate last verse. Improves the song imo

(optional last verse)
One fine day it happened, Puff woke from a dream
He thought he heard a familiar voice and Jackie’s laugh it seemed
He looked around his cavern and over by the door
Stood a little boy with a piece of string and smile he’d seen before

“Hello My name is Billy, my dad told me your name
He said I’d find you in the cave along the cherry lane“
Puff, that mighty dragon smiled in his joy
He’d never be alone again for this was Jackie’s boy



@user-uk6qt1qn8o

I always found this song so sad whether the song is about Jackie actually dying or losing his innocence, either way, grown-ups can relive their childhood through their kids. As a kid, I thought of a different ending:
Little Jackie Paper
Wasn’t so little anymore
He met a lady he loved
And brought her to the shore
“This is my best friend,” said Jackie
“Puff, this is Marie. She said yes just the other day…
When I asked her to marry me!”
Puff, Jackie and the pretty Marie
Had a wonderful time those three
Then the children came, then the grandkids
And Puff was family
When old Jackie and Marie
Got to old to play with Puff
They smiled and watched Puff and the kids
And their adventures brought such joy
See, Dragons live forever, but humans not so much
But families do go on and on
Oh, thank goodness for old Puff
Every generation
Of Jackie’s family
Loved Puff to the moon and back
And Grandpa Puff was filled with glee
(Chorus)



@angie9825

@@cathalmcwilliams3033 It's a theory. The creators have mentioned several times that this was about the loss of childhood. If this is about a pipe then every other song might as well be.
The lyrics are
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
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 Honah Lee
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout 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 Honah Lee
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant's rings make way for other toys
One gray 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 Honah Lee
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee


The only proof people have are
The words Puff and Mist
Puff is just a name and mist is just autumn mist that comes with the cold
That isn't much proof, isn't it.



@user-uk6qt1qn8o

I always found this song so sad whether the song is about Jackie actually dying or losing his innocence, either way, grown-ups can relive their childhood through their kids. As a kid, I thought of a different ending:
Little Jackie Paper
Wasn’t so little anymore
He met a lady he loved
And brought her to the shore
“This is my best friend,” said Jackie
“Puff, this is Marie. She said yes just the other day…
When I asked her to marry me!”
Puff, Jackie and the pretty Marie
Had a wonderful time those three
Then the children came, then the grandkids
And Puff was family
When old Jackie and Marie
Got to old to play with Puff
They smiled and watched Puff and the kids
And their adventures brought such joy
See, Dragons live forever, but humans not so much
But families do go on and on
Oh, thank goodness for old Puff
Every generation
Of Jackie’s family
Loved Puff to the moon and back
And Grandpa Puff was filled with glee
(Chorus)



@dangerouskitchen4819

One fine day it happened, Puff woke from a dream
He thought he heard a familiar voice and Jackie’s laugh it seemed
He looked around his cavern and over by the door
Stood a little boy with a piece of string and smile he’d seen before

“Hello My name is Billy, my dad told me your name
He said I’d find you in the cave along the cherry lane“
Puff, that mighty dragon smiled in his joy
He’d never be alone again for this was Jackie’s boy
CHORUS



@rrknl5187

My fondest memory of this song was in 1980 or so. My late wife, her nephew (10) and I were in the car when it came on the radio. We all snag along, even a 10 year-old boy knew the words.

When it was done, the DJ came on and said 'that's such a cool song, I'm going to play it again'.

So we all got to sing along again.

I'm nearly 60 and every time I hear it, I'm brought back to a time when life was much simpler. A happy time; no fears, lots of freedom, just a simple and enjoyable life.

Sadly, quite the contrast to these days......



@TeddyBerry

(optional last verse)
One fine day it happened, Puff woke from a dream
He thought he heard a familiar voice and Jackie’s laugh it seemed
He looked around his cavern and over by the door
Stood a little boy with a piece of string and smile he’d seen before

“Hello My name is Billy, my dad told me your name
He said I’d find you in the cave along the cherry lane“
Puff, that mighty dragon smiled in his joy
He’d never be alone again for this was Jackie’s boy



@user-uk6qt1qn8o

I always found this song so sad whether the song is about Jackie actually dying or losing his innocence, either way, grown-ups can relive their childhood through their kids. As a kid, I thought of a different ending:
Little Jackie Paper
Wasn’t so little anymore
He met a lady he loved
And brought her to the shore
“This is my best friend,” said Jackie
“Puff, this is Marie. She said yes just the other day…
When I asked her to marry me!”
Puff, Jackie and the pretty Marie
Had a wonderful time those three
Then the children came, then the grandkids
And Puff was family
When old Jackie and Marie
Got to old to play with Puff
They smiled and watched Puff and the kids
And their adventures brought such joy
See, Dragons live forever, but humans not so much
But families do go on and on
Oh, thank goodness for old Puff
Every generation
Of Jackie’s family
Loved Puff to the moon and back
And Grandpa Puff was filled with glee
(Chorus)



@user-uk6qt1qn8o

I always found this song so sad whether the song is about Jackie actually dying or losing his innocence, either way, grown-ups can relive their childhood through their kids. As a kid, I thought of a different ending:
Little Jackie Paper
Wasn’t so little anymore
He met a lady he loved
And brought her to the shore
“This is my best friend,” said Jackie
“Puff, this is Marie. She said yes just the other day…
When I asked her to marry me!”
Puff, Jackie and the pretty Marie
Had a wonderful time those three
Then the children came, then the grandkids
And Puff was family
When old Jackie and Marie
Got to old to play with Puff
They smiled and watched Puff and the kids
And their adventures brought such joy
See, Dragons live forever, but humans not so much
But families do go on and on
Oh, thank goodness for old Puff
Every generation
Of Jackie’s family
Loved Puff to the moon and back
And Grandpa Puff was filled with glee
(Chorus)



All comments from YouTube:

@nicklandry8019

My mother used to play this to me on her guitar and I remember asking her to play it over and over again. Life was simple uncomplicated even though we didn’t have a whole lot my childhood felt full. I’m now 30, big job, house, wife, dog and first child. I just heard this song for what feels like the first time in 20 years and played it for my new baby daughter. I immediately burst into tears bringing the nostalgia of my childhood back and realizing for the first time that this song is about losing your childhood innocence. I hope one day my baby girl can look back on her childhood the same way I did with mine with love, laughter and fulfillment. Oh my here come the tears again ...I guess it’s true, grown men do cry after all.

@carolmahala

I love your post----and the song. I'm 79 and still love this song. I listen to it often. It's of the nicest of the music from that era.

@2ndarmoredhellonwheels106

I'm 61 but when I was around 4 my mom would lay with me when I was scared on a stormy night and softly sing puff to me.i miss that.but my 4 year old granddaughter will sing it once in a while for pawpaw

@margaretpate1096

Thank you for sharing this touching memory.

@sphinxrising1129

Well, here is you chance to pass on your childhood joy & imagination to your child. Will you pass the banner onto the next generation?

@ducksinarowpatience3670

Bless you all in Yeshua's name.

45 More Replies...

@JTS-wi8qm

Anyone else listening to this late at night thinking about their childhood and knowing that that was the only childhood we’re ever going to get on this earth

@obi_wan_knabi1435

I’ve thought about that a lot... in all it was the best one ever :)

@lulublu5670

The song made me sad, and you made me sadder 😭

@benziegler9803

Fr

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