In 1968, the predecessor of the Juno’s named The Irish Rovers Canada’s, “Folk Group of the Year”, and the following year, they received a Grammy nomination for “Folk Performance of the Year”.
As hosts of three national television series in Canada and Ireland, through the 1970's and 80s, The Irish Rovers increased the popularity of Irish music by way of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
Canada's Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, personally asked the band if they could “please become Canadian” so that they could officially represent Canada throughout the world. Since then, they have represented Canada at no less than five world Expos, and in recognition for a quarter century of contributions to the International music world, The Irish Rovers won the Performing Rights Organization's (PROCAN) 'Harold Moon Award'.
Although all members of the band hail from Ireland, a number of their biggest hits were often "non-Irish". Their own rousing, traditional Irish compositions, however, do comprise the bulk of their music.
By the 90’s, their songwriting was even more prolific than their early years, and production of albums wasn’t about to slow down. Since they desired the freedom that as a younger band, they could not afford, in ’93 The Irish Rovers established their own record company, Rover Records. Their songs tell the story of the Irish, whether it’s a lost love, a sailor on leave, or the simple good taste of a Guinness. Rover Records has put out their last eleven albums, including Celtic Collection, Come Fill Up Your Glasses, Down by the Lagan Side, Another Round, Still Rovin', a Christmas album, and their greatest hits, 40 Years A-Rovin'.
Founding member George Millar is from Ballymena, original member Wilcil McDowell is from Larne, John Reynolds from Belfast, Sean O'Driscoll from Cork, Ian Millar from Ballymena, and percussionist Fred Graham is also from Belfast.
Former members include founding member Jimmy Ferguson who passed away in 1997 and Joe Millar.
Puff The Magic Dragon
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
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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.
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 giants's 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.
The lyrics to "Puff The Magic Dragon" by The Irish Rovers tells the story of a magical dragon named Puff who lived by the sea and would frolic in a land called Honalee. Puff had a special friend named Little Jackie Paper, who loved him and brought him strings, sealing wax, and other fancy things. Together, they would travel on a boat with billowed sail, and Jackie would keep a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail. Puff was so mighty that even noble kings and princes would bow when they saw him, and pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name.
However, as the song progresses, there is a shift in tone as it becomes apparent that Puff is no longer frolicking with Jackie Paper. The lyrics suggest that Jackie has grown up and moved on, leaving Puff to face a lonely existence. The line, "A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys," emphasizes the fleeting nature of childhood happiness and how it inevitably gives way to more "grown-up" pursuits. The last verse is particularly poignant as Puff, without his lifelong friend, becomes unable to be brave and sadly retreats to his cave.
The song's lyrics were written by Leonard Lipton in 1959, while he was a nineteen-year-old student at Cornell University. He was inspired by a poem his friend Peter Yarrow had written when he was in high school. Yarrow later formed the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary and recorded the song in 1963, which became one of their biggest hits. The Irish Rovers' version was released in 1968 and is considered one of the most popular covers of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea
Puff the dragon lived near the sea, and was magical
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee.
Puff enjoyed playing in the fall fog in a place named Honalee
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff
A young boy named Jackie really liked Puff, despite his mischievous ways
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff, oh Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea
Jackie would offer Puff various items, such as strings and sealing wax, to indulge his imagination
Together they would travel on boat with billowed sail
Jackie and Puff would journey by sea on a boat with a big sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail
Jackie sat on Puff's tail while watching for potential danger
Noble kings and princes would bow whene'er they came
The dragon and his friend were respected by royalty and received polite gestures
Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name, oh
Even the pirates respected the dragon, who had a powerful roar and could make them surrender
A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys
Dragons never die while little boys do when they grow up
Painted wings and giant's rings make way for other toys.
As Jackie grew up, his toys and interests changed, and he forgot about Puff
One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
One gloomy evening, Jackie disappeared and never returned to play with Puff again
And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.
Without his friend, Puff no longer had the courage to roar or play around
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Feeling sad, Puff's droopy head resulted in green scales falling from his body
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Puff no longer had any desire to play around in the cherry lane without his friend
Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave
Since Jackie was Puff's best friend, he couldn't be brave without him
So, Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave, oh
Feeling lonely, Puff retreated into his cave with sadness
Contributed by Annabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.