Puff the Magic Dragon

Growing up, one of my favorite songs is “Puff the Magic Dragon�. To me, it was a song about childhood and friendship. It’s a 60’s hit sung by Peter, Paul and Mary. The way the trio sung it made it more magical. I imagine sparkles every time I listen to the song. Soon the cassettes tape begun to wear. Puff's 'roar' begun to drift. One day, mom decided to throw it away.

1986. EDSA Revolution. I was surprised to hear the song again in the radio. It was played together with other ‘revolution’ songs (Impossible Dream, Tie a Yellow Ribbon, Magkaisa, etc). I didn’t get the connection. How is the song related to the situation? It made me wonder.

A week ago, I heard the song again. Somebody gave my 6y/o son a CD of children’s songs. To my surprise, Vince appreciated the song too. He repeatedly played it, 8 times in a row. When he saw me singing along with the song, he asked me to teach him the lyrics. It was then that I realized that I already forgot some words. The next thing I did was to search it in the internet. Aside from the lyrics, I found interesting facts about that 60's hit. Although the trio said it was about childhood and loss innocence, some people believed that it’s about drugs (PUFF being marijuana). Well, that doesn’t change the way I feel about it. I still love that rascal PUFF. It brings out the child in me.

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.

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 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 whenever they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flag when PUFF roared out his name

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.