Puff The Magic Dragon
Peter Paul & Mary Lyrics


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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 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 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 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 Honalee




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

Overall Meaning

The song "Puff, the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary is a classic folk tune and a bittersweet meditation on the innocence of childhood and the loss of that innocence. The song tells the story of Puff, a magical dragon who lives by the sea and frolics in a land called Honalee. Little Jackie Paper is Puff's best friend, bringing him strings, sealing wax, and other fancy things. Together they travel on a boat with billowed sail, with Jackie Paper perched on Puff's tail. They are greeted with respect by kings and princes and strike fear in the hearts of pirates. However, one gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more, and Puff was forced to slip into his cave and let his scales fall like rain.


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 Honalee
He played and had fun in a place known as Honalee during autumn


Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff
A boy named Jackie Paper adored the mischievous Puff


And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff, oh
Jackie would give Puff gifts like strings, sealing wax, and other fanciful things


Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
The two of them would go on adventures on a boat with a beautiful sail


Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail
Jackie would keep a watchful eye and sit on Puff's enormous tail


Noble kings and princes would bow whene'er they came
When Puff and Jackie arrived, even the most esteemed royalty would pay their respects and bow down


Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name, oh
Even pirates would show reverence by lowering their flags when Puff thunderously roared his name


A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Dragons are immortal, but children grow up and move on


Painted wings and giant's rings make way for other toys
As Jackie grew older, he lost interest in Puff's magical world and moved on to other things


One gray night, it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
Sadly, one night, Jackie stopped coming to see Puff


And Puff, that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar
Without Jackie, Puff lost his spirit and stopped roaring fearlessly like he used to


His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff was deeply saddened and his green scales fell off like tears


Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without Jackie, Puff did not feel like playing anymore


Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave
Jackie was Puff's life-long companion, and without him, Puff lost his courage


So Puff, that mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave, oh
Puff retreated to his cave, feeling despondent and listless




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leonard Lipton, Peter Yarrow

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@craigplainfield6662

In 1962 or 63 Peter, Paul and Mary came to my 5th grade class and sang Puff. I still remember it vividly to this day.

@ikawlangsapatna1260

wow thats so amazing

@ikawlangsapatna1260

where?

@Patrick.M1903

amazing

@madcam7759

that must have been so cool

@voidportal574

Lucky

101 More Replies...

@dimitriisov1262

I can't explain how as an adult this still viscerally hurts me to the core. I think I just always associated this song with loneliness and I still feel that vast loneliness today when I hear this just like I'm 5 years old.

@guitarbust9418

My 4 yr old daughter listened to the song today, and she cried and told her mom she was sad.

@lindalang3600

Peace to you

@suicidejon

Oh my God sit down and be a man have you never heard of stoicism? Or you just easily moved to tears by anything? God man up. Your sentiment is too much to bear and is nauseating you should be embarrassed.

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