Puff the Magic Dragon
From Wikipedia: After the song's initial success, speculation arose—as early as a 1964 article in Newsweek—that the song contained veiled references to smoking marijuana.[8] The word "paper" in the name of Puff's human friend Jackie Paper was said to be a reference to rolling papers, the words "by the sea" were interpreted as "by the C" (as in cannabis), the word "mist" stood for "smoke", the land of "Honahlee" stood for hashish, and "dragon" was interpreted as "draggin'" (i.e., inhaling smoke). Similarly, the name "Puff" was alleged to be a reference to taking a "puff" on a joint. The supposition was claimed to be common knowledge in a letter by a member of the public to The New York Times in 1984.[9][10]
The authors of the song have repeatedly rejected this interpretation and have strongly and consistently denied that they intended any references to drug use.[11] Both Lipton and Yarrow have stated, "'Puff, the Magic Dragon' is not about drugs."[12] Yarrow has frequently explained that the song is about the hardships of growing older and has no relationship to drug-taking.[13][14] He has also said that the song has "never had any meaning other than the obvious one" and is about the "loss of innocence in children."[15] He has dismissed the suggestion of it being associated with drugs as "sloppy research".[16]
The authors of the song have repeatedly rejected this interpretation and have strongly and consistently denied that they intended any references to drug use.[11] Both Lipton and Yarrow have stated, "'Puff, the Magic Dragon' is not about drugs."[12] Yarrow has frequently explained that the song is about the hardships of growing older and has no relationship to drug-taking.[13][14] He has also said that the song has "never had any meaning other than the obvious one" and is about the "loss of innocence in children."[15] He has dismissed the suggestion of it being associated with drugs as "sloppy research".[16]
This song was written in 1962 by Peter Yarrow, of the singing trio Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Puff, the Magic Dragon, lived by the sea,
And frolicked in the morning mist, in a land called Hona Lee.
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff,
And brought him strings and sealing wax,
And other kinds of stuff.
Together they'd go traveling,
On a boat with billowed sail.
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail.
Noble kings and princes, would stop when e'er they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flags, when Puff roared out his name.
A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys.
Painted rings and giant wings make way for other toys.
One gray night it happened, Jackie Paoer came no more,
And Puff the mighty dragon, ceased his fearless roar.
His head was hung 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,
And so the mighty dragon sadly went into his cave.
Puff, the Magic Dragon, lived by the sea,
And frolicked in the morning mist, in a land called Hona Lee.