Recently, while discussing song titles with a friend , the lyrics of "Puff the Magic Dragon" came up. I innocently recalled as a young girl wanting to strangle that Jackie Paper for leaving Puff sad and alone in his dark, dismal cave. My reminiscing friend, openly laughed at my interpretation and exalted, that the song wasn't about the lost innocence of a child at all. She explained it was about smoking marijuana and getting high from drug use. That intrigued my interest to actually look up the history of my favorite, childhood song.
Having always thought the lyrics were written by Peter, Paul and Mary I was surprised to learn that they were originally based on a 1959 poem written by Leonard Lipton. He was a nineteen year old Cornell University student at the time. Only later was the poem passed on to Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) who added more lyrics and music to create a song.
Looking into some of the 1960's alleged drug references, I discovered Jackie Paper was considered by some drug suave entrepreneurs, as zigzag rolling papers. "Autumn mist" was interpreted as marijuana smoke and the "Land of Hanah Lee" was in reference to a Hawaiian Island called Hanalei, that was known for it's large amount of marijuana plants. "Puff was the smoking of a joint. "Cherry" was considered the burning ember of a marijuana cigarette, and "Lane" was the cigarettes length.
I tend to believe the original author of the poem Leonard Lipton. He consistently stood by his original statement that the poem he wrote back in 1959 at the age of 19 was indeed a poem of lost childhood. Peter, Paul and Mary have agreed with Mr. Lipton that this is a child's song. They also have conveyed the fact that they could interpret the "Star Spangle Banner" in such a way that it too, could be construed as a drug related song, if they chose.
After briefly researching my childhood favorite, I have come to my own conclusions. I believe that when 19 year old Leonard Lipton first wrote his poem, he was a young man entering a stressful, college world and was faced with the realization that he was no longer a child.
I know deep in my friends heart that she believes "Puff the Magic Dragon" is a 1960's drug song. That is very sad to me. She has absolutely missed one of the most mystical, childhood experiences that so many of us felt, while listening to that magical song.
I may be disillusioned, but I'd rather believe for the rest of my life that the name "Puff" was a chosen name for a wonderful, fantasy friend. And the reference of "autumn mist" was merely in reference to a glistening, dew covered meadow. I refuse to believe that green dinosaur scales is a synonym for drug paraphernalia. Which in turn has guided me down to Cherry Lane, where I will always be convinced that, "Little Jackie Paper, did love that rascal Puff!"
Kimberly enjoys studying numerology, astrology, love compatibility charts and experimenting with herbal remedies. She is an advocate for more funding from the NCI for pancreatic cancer research and she has operated her own canine stylist business for the past 10 years. Her interests also include studying little known "plant foods" that induce natural weight loss and also studying a little known herb that naturally curbs the cravings for alcohol .
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» left by Kimberly(619) Kimberly (244 days 20 hours ago.)
Thank you Mr. Keith. I actually have the 45 of Puff. I just need a turn table to play it.
I look forward to reading your articles. Best regards from a Camp Lejeune, Daddies girl. Semper Fi, Kimberly
» left by Susan Thom(9,014) Susan Thom (244 days 20 hours ago.)
hi kimberly,
very intersting, well written article, with a comedic side to it.
there defintely are enough metaphors in this song, and i never would have thought of them in my life.
best regards,
sue thom
» left by Teresa Ortiz(4,776) Teresa Ortiz (243 days 19 hours ago.)
Hi Kimberely, thanks for sharing this, I remember being told the same thing. And while, it can be true for those who smoked their pot while listening to the song, I much rather think of it as a childhood song. But still, because of all the hype about it, I never introduced the song to my children. It wasn't until they were older that they heard it went through the same questions. I suppose this song will go down in history as a drug song whether it was or not. Blessings to you! Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Ken McCreless(161) Ken McCreless (242 days 12 hours ago.)
Kimberly,
I had never heard the "lost innocence" interpretation. I agree with you, as that was always the feel I got from it. Great article. Respond to this comment
» left by Kimberly(619) Kimberly (242 days 8 hours ago.)
Dear Ken,
Thank you for reading my article and for the kind words. Kimberly Respond to this comment
» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(6,499) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (240 days 3 hours ago.)
Interesting article I enjoyed reading. In my opinion the song has elements of both as interpretations. I do think it is the mystical leaving of ones reality that the song is referring to and if that is brought about by drugs or not who cares. I for one love the song and couldn't smoke one cigeret much less pot. Respond to this comment
» left by Kimberly(619) Kimberly (240 days ago.)
Hi Robert,
Thank you for reading my article. I too, love the song and am thankful Peter thought highly enough of the poem to make the song. Kimberly Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(806) Steve Radford (239 days 17 hours ago.)
I'm glad you wrote this Kimberly. I remember hearing people say that the song was about drug use. Peter Yarrow never struck me as someone who would have denied it, if he had intended it to be a drug metaphor. Your assessment rings true. Steve Respond to this comment
» left by Lorrie Davids(5,363) Lorrie Davids (208 days 7 hours ago.)
I loved playing my guitar and singing along with PP & M. I never wondered if it was a drug song, my mind never went there. When my daughters were little one of them was always asking me to "play Puff". A few years ago, that same daughter, now an adult asked me to pull out my guitar and play and sing Puff again. Her response: "Those are the words? What a depressing song!"
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