Puff
Peter Paul and Mary Lyrics
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And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
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 Honahlee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
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 flag 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 Honahlee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
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 Honahlee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
The song "Puff, the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary tells the story of a friendly, mythical dragon named Puff and his beloved companion, a little boy named Jackie Paper. Puff lived in the land of Honalee, by the sea, where he and Jackie would play together, sailing on a boat with billowed sail and meeting kings, princes, and pirates. Puff was a playful dragon, but his friendship with Jackie eventually ended when the boy grew up and forgot about him. Puff was left alone in his cave, sad and brokenhearted, reflecting on his lost friendship with Jackie. The repetition of the opening and closing verses creates a cyclical and nostalgic feel to the song, and the lyrics, combined with the melody, create a bittersweet and emotive tale of the innocent joys and inevitable losses of childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
Puff, the mythical dragon resided near the ocean
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
He enjoyed playing in the foggy, fall air in a place known as Honahlee
Little Jackie paper loved that rascal puff
A young boy, Jackie Paper, had a fondness for the mischievous Puff
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff oh
Jackie would gift him items, like strings and wax, to entertain Puff
Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
They often embarked on a journey on a boat with a large, puffed-up sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on puff's gigantic tail
Jackie would watch out from atop Puff's enormous tail
Noble kings and princes would bow whene'er they came
Respected royals would respectfully bend over in their presence
Pirate ships would lower their flag when puff roared out his name oh
Frightened pirates would give up their flag when Puff bellowed his name
A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Though Puff lived on, Jackie Paper was a mere mortal who could not
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys
Jackie's vivid imagination from their adventures was replaced by other interests
One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
One night, Jackie Paper stopped coming to see Puff
And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar
Puff, no longer inspired by Jackie's imagination, stopped his bold roar
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff was saddened and even shed green tears in lamentation
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Puff stopped going on adventures down the cherry-lined lane without Jackie
Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave
Unable to be courageous without his long-time companion
So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave oh
Puff withdrew back into his lair with a heavy heart
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEONARD LIPTON, PETER YARROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tocsin-Bang
At 75 years old, I still love singing this, and I still cry! Am I a stupid old man? If I am, I don't really care!
@sanchoporkwiches9871
Not stupid. I am 35 and my old man used to sing this to me when I was a kid. I tear up every time I hear this song, I hope to bring half the joy to this world that this song has brought me and my dad.
@jessieP12
I’m 50 and still cry when I hear it. It’s a heartbreaking song. If I was talented I’d add another verse to make it a happy ending.
@DrewWutsit
I don't care if I grow up to be stupid. As long as I know wrong from right and as long as I can still call this song a masterpiece I will be happy with myself.
@chipesh
70 and feel the same.
@Tom-dv2pt
Not stupid at all sir
@shantanubineewale
Leaving this comment here so in case somebody leaves a like, I come back here. 🐉
@DrewWutsit
Come on back and give your imagination another roar <3
@ethanxedits6529
Come back today
@randomrarandom3893
come back boi