Puff, the Magic Dragon

"Puff, the Magic Dragon" is a song written and popularized by Peter, Paul and Mary in the 1960s. The song is so well-known that it has entered American and British pop culture.

Related Topics:
Song - Peter, Paul and Mary - 1960s - American - British - Pop culture

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The lyrics for "Puff" were based on a 1959 poem by Leonard Lipton, a nineteen-year-old Cornell student. Lipton was inspired by an Ogden Nash poem titled "Custard the Dragon", about a "realio, trulio, little pet dragon." Lipton passed his poem on to his friend Peter Yarrow, who added a tune and additional lyrics to transform the poem into the song. The lyrics tell a bittersweet story of the un-aging dragon Puff and his playmate Jackie Paper, a little boy who grows up and loses interest in the imaginary adventures of childhood.

Related Topics:
1959 - Poem - Cornell - Ogden Nash - Peter Yarrow

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Believed by many people to refer to smoking marijuana, it became a hippie anthem. The authors of the song deny any intentional drug reference (compare Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds).

Related Topics:
Marijuana - Hippie - Drug - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

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Beginning in 1978, a short series of 30-minute animated television specials based on the song were produced with Burgess Meredith in the title role.

Related Topics:
1978 - Animated television special - Burgess Meredith

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