About the song
“Puff, the Magic Dragon” is a beloved song first popularized by the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. Written by Peter Yarrow, one of the group’s members, the song was based on a 1959 poem by Leonard Lipton, a young Cornell University student at the time. The song was released in January 1963, and its enchanting tale quickly captured the hearts of many.
The origins of the song are quite interesting. Leonard Lipton had penned a poem about a dragon named Puff and his adventures. This poem was inspired by another piece of writing, “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” by Ogden Nash. When Peter Yarrow discovered Lipton’s poem, he crafted the lyrics for “Puff, the Magic Dragon” around it, bringing the story to life through music.
The song narrates the story of Puff, an ageless dragon who lives by the sea in the magical land of Honah Lee. Puff’s closest friend is Jackie Paper, a young boy who joins him in imaginative adventures. However, as Jackie grows up, he gradually leaves behind these childhood fantasies, which leaves Puff feeling lonely and abandoned.
The connection between Lipton and Yarrow was rather serendipitous. Lipton and Yarrow were acquaintances from their college days, and Lipton used Yarrow’s typewriter to draft his poem. Years later, Yarrow sought out Lipton to credit him for the original poem and, as a result, Lipton received half of the songwriting credit and continued to earn royalties from the song until his passing in 2022.
Over time, Yarrow made a small adjustment to the lyrics for inclusivity, changing the line “A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys” to “A dragon lives forever, but not so girls and boys.” This adjustment was made to reflect a more balanced perspective.
Despite some changes and the loss of the original draft of the poem, “Puff, the Magic Dragon” remains a cherished piece of music, celebrated for its touching story and its gentle reminder of the fleeting nature of childhood.
Video
Lyrics
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 whenever 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