About The Song
“Puff, the Magic Dragon” is an American folk song written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary, based on a 1959 poem by Leonard Lipton. Lipton, a 19-year-old Cornell University student, wrote the poem inspired by Ogden Nash’s “The Tale of Custard the Dragon.” Yarrow discovered the poem, left on a typewriter by a mutual friend, and adapted it into a song in 1962. The track was recorded that year at RCA Studios in New York City, produced by Albert Grossman, and released as a single in January 1963 by Warner Bros. Records, with “Pretty Mary” as the B-side. It appeared on the trio’s second album, Moving, also released in January 1963. The song, running 3:20, falls within pop, folk, and children’s music genres.
The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 at position 74 on March 16, 1963, peaking at number 2 on April 20, 1963, where it stayed for two weeks, blocked from number 1 by The Chiffons’ “He’s So Fine.” It spent 14 weeks on the chart. Additionally, it reached number 1 on the Billboard Middle-Road Singles (Adult Contemporary) chart for seven weeks and number 10 on the R&B chart, reflecting its broad appeal. Internationally, it hit number 2 in Canada on the CHUM Chart, number 6 in Australia, and number 10 in New Zealand. The song sold over one million copies, earning a gold record certification.
Background details include Lipton’s inspiration from Nash’s poem, which he encountered while seeking a break from studying. After Yarrow used the poem, he sought out Lipton post-release to share songwriting credit and royalties, a gesture Lipton received until his death in 2022. Yarrow, who passed in 2025, consistently denied rumors that the song referenced marijuana, emphasizing its theme of childhood innocence lost. The lyrics tell of Puff, an immortal dragon, and his friend Jackie Paper, who outgrows their adventures in the fictional land of Honalee. In later performances, Yarrow altered the line “A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys” to “A dragon lives forever, but not so girls and boys” for inclusivity.
Expert commentary includes Michael Miller of classicsongoftheday.com, who noted the song’s simplicity and universal appeal, making it a staple for children and adults. Songfacts highlighted Yarrow’s denial of drug references, citing Lipton’s original poem as evidence of its innocent intent. The song’s success led to adaptations, including a 2007 Scholastic children’s book illustrated by Eric Puybaret. A 1978 animated TV special, narrated by Burgess Meredith, expanded the story. The song was covered by artists like Jacky Cheung (1987) and Seal (2008) and referenced in media like Meet the Parents (2000). Its cultural footprint includes a Vietnam War gunship named after it, though unrelated to the song’s narrative.
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Lyric
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
OhPuff, 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 HonaleeTogether 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
OhPuff, 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 HonaleeA dragon lives forever, but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant’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 roarHis 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
OhPuff, 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