This is one of my favorite songs - I keep humming it now and then thesedays. :)
It was sung by the folk artists trio Peter, Paul & Mary. It is a beautiful song about the loss of childhood as we grow up. It tells the story of Puff the Magic Dragon and Jackie Paper, a little boy. Together as friends, they share great adventures. However, one day Jackie Paper grows up and loses interest in his playmate Puff. He moves on, leaving the mighty dragon alone and sorrowful at the loss of his friend.
Hearing this bittersweet song almost brings tears to my eyes sometimes. The story of Puff the Magic Dragon and Jackie Paper could well be a story about the loss of our own childhood. How many of us remember the imaginary adventures we used to engage in as children? Ah, how I wish we could set off on imaginary adventures once again - in the way that only children can! Amongst other things, this too is one of the abilities that we lose as we grow up.
I wonder what became of Jackier Paper as he grew up. He probably became like one of us. Are we not cowards who, most of the time, meekly succumb to the demands of this mad world? And we call that becoming "mature" and "growing up." Would it not be brave to escape and indulge in these imaginary adventures? I don't think it would be silly to do so, to whatever extent we can, although not as much and in the same way as children. It is about being imaginative, creative and sane - and not about being escapist, as a so-called "mature" person would say.
Those who love fantasy books and films like Lord of the Rings, would perhaps be able to relate better to the theme of this song. It was also made into a cartoon film in 1978. I found it recently - it is pretty good, an evergreen classic. :)
It was sung by the folk artists trio Peter, Paul & Mary. It is a beautiful song about the loss of childhood as we grow up. It tells the story of Puff the Magic Dragon and Jackie Paper, a little boy. Together as friends, they share great adventures. However, one day Jackie Paper grows up and loses interest in his playmate Puff. He moves on, leaving the mighty dragon alone and sorrowful at the loss of his friend.
Hearing this bittersweet song almost brings tears to my eyes sometimes. The story of Puff the Magic Dragon and Jackie Paper could well be a story about the loss of our own childhood. How many of us remember the imaginary adventures we used to engage in as children? Ah, how I wish we could set off on imaginary adventures once again - in the way that only children can! Amongst other things, this too is one of the abilities that we lose as we grow up.
I wonder what became of Jackier Paper as he grew up. He probably became like one of us. Are we not cowards who, most of the time, meekly succumb to the demands of this mad world? And we call that becoming "mature" and "growing up." Would it not be brave to escape and indulge in these imaginary adventures? I don't think it would be silly to do so, to whatever extent we can, although not as much and in the same way as children. It is about being imaginative, creative and sane - and not about being escapist, as a so-called "mature" person would say.
Those who love fantasy books and films like Lord of the Rings, would perhaps be able to relate better to the theme of this song. It was also made into a cartoon film in 1978. I found it recently - it is pretty good, an evergreen classic. :)
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!
Chorus:
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 whene'er they came
Pirate ships would lower their flag when Puff roared out his name, oh!
(Chorus)
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!
(Chorus)
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!
Chorus:
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 whene'er they came
Pirate ships would lower their flag when Puff roared out his name, oh!
(Chorus)
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!
(Chorus)
Links:
Download the Song!! Link 01 Link 02 Link 03
Puff the Magic Dragon - Wikipedia
Song Facts
