What Is The Real Meaning Behind “Puff, The Magic Dragon”?

You probably know the song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” which was made popular by a 1962 recording by Peter, Paul, and Mary. The song was officially released the following year in 1963 and became a huge hit, not only with adults but children as well.

The song was written by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow (Yarrow is one of the members of Peter, Paul, and Mary). The song was originally a poem by Lipton that Yarrow took and made into a song. Since then, many people have speculated the actual meaning of the song and you all have, without a doubt, heard the theories.

Many people look at the storyline of the song. If you read the lyrics, it’s can clearly be understood that it’s about a young boy who really didn’t have any friends, so he made up a dragon and a whole fantasy land where they could play together. However, there are lyrics within the song that may suggest something else, something that only adults could note.

Lines like “frolicked in the autumn mist” have suggested to many that the song is about smoking marijuana and the “land called Honahlee” is just a land that is made up by way of influence from the drug.

At the end of the day, it really just is a song that has transformed into a kid’s classic and a favorite among families. The lyrics can be interpreted the way that each of us individually deems appropriate, but we might never know the truth about what the meaning behind “Puff, the Magic Dragon” really is.

Check out the lyrics below and decide for yourself.