“Puff, the Magic Dragon” is a song written by Peter Yarrow and Peter, Paul, and Mary, originally from a poem by Leonard Lipton. The song was popularized in 1962 with a recording released in January 1963. The lyrics describe Puff, the magic dragon, living by the sea and frolicking in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee. Little Jackie Paper, a friend of Puff, brings strings and sealing wax to him, which they use to make a kite and fly it together.
Puff was a collector of “sealing wax” rather than “ceiling wax”, as in the song. The name “Puff” refers to smoking a joint, while his friend “Jackie Paper” and his sealing wax refer to rolling papers made of hemp (strings) with sealing wax on one end. Early sealing wax was made of colophony, a resin distilled from the gum of maritime pines that grow in southern France, Spain, Portugal, and Greece.
The song’s lyrics emphasize the importance of love, friendship, and the use of sealing wax in creating a unique and memorable experience for Puff. The song also references the origins of seals, which are derived from Latin signum and are related to signs.
In summary, “Puff, the Magic Dragon” is a well-known euphemism for smoking pot and the use of sealing wax in creating unique and memorable experiences for Puff.
📹 Peter Paul & Mary – Puff The Magic Dragon (with Lyrics)
Little Jackie paper loved that rascal puff and brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. Oh Puff, the magic dragon …
This is the type of music we need in todays world. Not about “A boy/girl has a crush on someone and they do stuff”, but a symbolistic story. Or instrumental (like jazz or classical), Or just the normal 80’s music. This song really is a good song, symbolizing the loss of your childhood. It is a sorrowful song with a good melody, chords, instrumentation, and a good story. It’s like a westernish type song.
I remember 2nd grade, tiny, no care in the world. We performed this in music class for a play, in front of all the parents we sang beautifully. It’s crazy how time flies, as you get older you see things differently. Growing up stinks man. Your innocent mind is spoiled by thoughts and events that haunt you. Pizza rolls and Sunday morning cartons are now cup noodles, Red Bull, and 2 am study sessions. I really hope that our next generation treasures their childhood and lives it amazingly. Don’t grow up it’s a trap.