Although a handful of versions have been recorded by other artists (the Seekers and Bing Crosby) and parodies of the song appeared in the 1960s (“Puff the Tragic Drag Act” and “Gruff the Billy Goat Clan”), “Puff the Magic Dragon” continues to be associated first and foremost with Peter, Paul, and Mary. Yarrow has insisted that the song is about no more than the loss of innocence and has joked about the misinterpretation during live performances. Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul, and Mary, added lyrics and music to a poem written by college chum, Leonard Tipton. The song, however, was originally conceived in 1958, several years before the 1960s’ drug culture and Vietnam got under way. Others believed that the song’s title referred to the AC-47 gunship, a military weapon used in Vietnam. Puff, The Magic Dragon or Puff (The Magic Dragon), listed on the original Moving album simply as Puff, is a song which was written by Peter Yarrow. Lipton wrote a poem about a dragon in 1959,1and when Yarrow found it, he wrote the lyrics to 'Puff' based on the poem. It was made popular by Peter, Paul and Mary in a 1962 recording released in January 1963.

As “Puff” rose on to the Billboard Top 10 in 1963, imaginative critics suggested that “puff” referred to marijuana, “Jackie Paper,” rolling papers, “Autumn Mist,” the smoke, and “Hanalei,” the Hawaiian village known for its potent marijuana. 'Puff, the Magic Dragon' (or just 'Puff') is a song written by Peter Yarrowof Peter, Paul and Maryfrom a poem by Leonard Lipton. PUFF written by Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton 1963 Pepamar Music Corp.-ASCAP Renewed 1991 Silver Dawn Music-ASCAP/Honalee Tunes. To listeners today, it seems somewhat ludicrous that “Puff (The Magic Dragon),” one of folk’s most enduring children’s songs, was believed in some quarters to be subversive. Despite its charming melody and enduring popularity, theres long been mystery surrounding Peter, Paul and Marys beloved song Puff the Magic Dragon.

Peter puff the magic dragon