Puff The Magic Dragon

• By: Peter Paul & Mary

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
dragon /ˈdræɡən/ A2	noun - a mythical monster with wings and claws
magic /ˈmædʒɪk/ B1	noun - the power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. adjective - belonging to, employing, or resembling magic.
sea /siː/ A1	noun - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its land masses.
frolicked /ˈfrɒlɪkt/ B2	verb - play or move about cheerfully, excitedly, or energetically.
autumn /ˈɔːtəm/ A2	noun - the season after summer and before winter.
mist /mɪst/ B1	noun - a phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in the air.
land /lænd/ A1	noun - the part of the earth's surface that is not permanently covered by water
loved /lʌvd/ A1	verb - feel deep affection for (someone).
rascal /ˈræskəl/ B2	noun - a mischievous person or animal, especially a child or dog.
fancy /ˈfænsi/ B1	adjective - elaborate in structure or decoration.
travel /ˈtrævl/ A2	verb - make a journey, typically of some length.
boat /boʊt/ A1	noun - a small vessel propelled on water by oars, sails, or an engine.
sail /seɪl/ A2	noun - a piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship or other vessel.
tail /teɪl/ A1	noun - the hindmost part of an animal, especially when prolonged beyond the body.
gigantic /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/ B2	adjective - of very great size or extent; huge or enormous.

Grammar:

• Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea

  ➔ Past Simple (lived)

  ➔ Simple past tense is used to describe an action that was completed in the past. "Lived" indicates that Puff resided by the sea at some point in the past.

• And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee

  ➔ Past Simple (frolicked) and Past Participle as adjective (called)

  ➔ "Frolicked" is another example of the past simple. "Called" is used as an adjective to describe the land, indicating its name.

• Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff

  ➔ Past Simple (loved)

  ➔ Again, simple past to show a completed action in the past. Jackie's affection for Puff is a thing of the past within the context of the song.

• Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail

  ➔ Conditional 'would' for habitual past actions

  ➔ "Would" is used here to express a recurring action in the past. It's similar to saying "they used to travel".

• Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail

  ➔ Past Simple (kept) and Past Participle as adjective (perched)

  ➔ "Kept" describes a past action. "Perched" is used to describe Jackie's position, functioning as an adjective.

• Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name

  ➔ Conditional 'would' for habitual past actions

  ➔ Similar to the previous example, "would lower" describes a regular occurrence in the past when Puff roared his name.

• A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys

  ➔ Present Simple (lives) for general truths.

  ➔ "Lives" expresses a general truth about dragons. This contrasts with the impermanence of human life.

• One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more

  ➔ Past Simple (happened, came) and Negative Adverb 'no more'

  ➔ "Happened" and "came" are in the simple past. "No more" signifies that Jackie's appearances ceased entirely.

• His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain

  ➔ Past Simple (was bent, fell) and Simile (like rain)

  ➔ "Was bent" and "fell" describe past actions/states. "Like rain" is a simile, comparing the falling scales to rain, emphasizing the quantity and sadness.