The Real Meaning Behind The Song, ‘Puff, The Magic Dragon’

by: Lauren Kochanowski
April 10, 2023

source: OverSixty

You probably remember at least a handful of songs that were popular among children your age way back when. For me, and for many of us, “Puff, the Magic Dragon” was one of those songs. I can still almost recite the entire song, lyric by lyric, all these years later.

“Puff, the Magic Dragon” also commonly referred to as just “Puff” is a song written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary based on a poem by Leonard Lipton. The song was recorded in 1962 and released in January 1963. It became an overnight sensation for adults and children alike.

At face value, the song is about a lonely little boy who creates a fantasy land which includes a magic dragon, Puff, who becomes his friend. This is also what the original poem that inspired the song was about. However, ever since the song’s release, many people have speculated the song’s lyrics are actually about drug use. It’s widely believed that Puff and this fantasy land came to life after smoking marijuana. Take a listen to the video below if you need a refresher on the song:

Although people have differing views on the true meaning behind the song, Peter, Paul and Mary have adamantly denied that the song has anything to do with drugs, and have maintained that it’s about childhood imagination and innocence. People can speculate all they want, but I’m choosing to believe the musicians who wrote and recorded this nostalgic song!