A dragon lives forever but not so little boys/
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys.
Not many 3 minute songs are so rich that they can be developed into a cartoon special, but Peter, Paul & Mary’s “Puff the Magic Dragon” did just that. The song is about loss of innocence. Puff and Jackie are great friends who go on mighty adventures throughout the mystical land of Honahlee. Jack would ride Puff and all the kings and princes would bow before them and their might. The adventures were magnificent for Jack…and for Puff.
But then one day it happened, Jackie grew out of his phase of playing with his toy dragon. Puff and Jackie were lifelong friends, but Jackie grew up and it kills Puff inside. Jackie is moving upwards and onwards; Puff is stuck with the memories. He will be forgotten.
This is such a unique tale of growing up, and outgrowing friendships, and being left behind all in a beautiful allegory. The harmonies of Peter, Paul and Mary blend well with just an acoustic guitar. This is a can’t miss folk song.
Puff The Magic Dragon Lyrics & Meaning
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honali
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 Honali
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honali
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 Honali
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honali
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 Honali
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honali
Songwriters: Leonard Lipton / Peter Yarrow