Peter, Paul and Mary remain icons of the American folk music scene, their harmonies and socially conscious lyrics resonating across generations. From gentle ballads to powerful anthems of peace and justice, their discography is rich with songs that have become classics. This guide explores the vast collection of Peter Paul and Mary songs, offering a glimpse into their musical journey and the enduring impact of their work.
Peter Paul and Mary, formed in Greenwich Village in New York City, brought together Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers. Their music became synonymous with the folk revival of the 1960s, and they used their platform to address important social issues, alongside creating beautiful and memorable melodies. Their songs often spoke of peace, love, and understanding, becoming anthems for the civil rights and anti-war movements.
Among their most beloved Peter Paul and Mary songs are those that captured the spirit of their time. “Blowin’ in the Wind,” though written by Bob Dylan, became one of their signature tunes, its poignant questions about peace and freedom echoing through the decade and beyond. “If I Had a Hammer,” with its message of building a better world, became another powerful anthem of hope and unity, frequently sung at protests and gatherings.
“Puff the Magic Dragon” is perhaps one of the most widely recognized Peter Paul and Mary songs. Its gentle narrative and whimsical melody have made it a children’s classic, though interpretations of its meaning have ranged from innocent fantasy to deeper metaphors. Regardless of interpretation, its place in popular culture is undeniable, showcasing the group’s ability to connect with audiences of all ages.
“Leaving on a Jet Plane,” penned by John Denver, is another song that gained immense popularity through Peter Paul and Mary’s rendition. This poignant ballad of farewell and longing resonated deeply with listeners, becoming a staple in their concerts and a testament to their ability to deliver emotionally resonant performances. It exemplifies the softer, more introspective side of Peter Paul and Mary songs.
Beyond these iconic hits, the catalog of Peter Paul and Mary songs includes a wide range of folk classics and original compositions. From traditional tunes like “500 Miles,” a melancholic folk ballad of hardship and distance, to songs addressing social issues like “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”, an anti-war lament adapted from a traditional folk song, their repertoire is both diverse and deeply meaningful.
Their music also extended to spirituals and songs of faith, such as “All My Trials,” a moving spiritual often associated with comfort and resilience. These songs demonstrated the breadth of their musical interests and their ability to draw from various traditions to create a unique and cohesive sound.
Exploring the full spectrum of Peter Paul and Mary songs reveals not just a collection of music, but a chronicle of a generation’s hopes, dreams, and struggles. Their harmonies, their lyrics, and their commitment to social justice cemented their place in music history. Whether you are discovering their music for the first time or revisiting old favorites, the songs of Peter Paul and Mary continue to offer beauty, insight, and a timeless message of humanity.
Complete List of Peter Paul and Mary Songs:
- 24 Green Street
- 500 Miles
- 75 Septembers
- A Soalin’
- All God’s Critters
- All Mixed Up
- All My Trials
- All Through The Night
- And When I Die
- Apologize
- Autumn to May
- Babylon/Oh, Sinner Man
- Ballad of Spring Hill
- Bamboo
- Be Right Back
- Beautiful City
- Because All Men Are Brothers
- Been On The Road Too Long
- Best of Friends
- Betty & Dupree
- Big Boat
- Blowin In The Wind
- Blue
- Boa Constrictor
- Bob Dylan’s Dream
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime
- But A Moment
- By Surprise
- Cactus In A Coffee Can
- Canaan Land
- Car-Car
- Children Go Where I Send Thee
- Children One And All
- Christmas Dinner
- Circus
- Come & Go with Me
- Coming of the Roads
- Conscientious Objector
- Cruel War
- Danny’s Downs
- Day Is Done
- Delivery Delayed
- Deportee
- Dodi Li
- Don’t Ever Take Away My Freedom
- Don’t Go Down To The Quarry
- Don’t Laugh At Me
- Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
- Down By The Riverside (Study War No More)
- Early In the Morning
- Early Mornin’ Rain
- El Salvador
- Erika With The Windy Yellow Hair
- Every Flower
- Fair Ireland
- Father’s House
- Flora
- Follow Me
- For Baby (For Bobbie)
- For Lovin’ Me
- For The Love of It All
- Forever Young
- Freedom Medley
- Freight Train
- Gabriel’s Mother’s Hiway Ballad #16 Blues
- Garden Song
- Geraldine & Ruthie Mae
- Gilgarra Mountain
- Give A Damn
- Give Yourself To Love
- Going To The Zoo
- Golden Vanity
- Gone The Rainbow
- Goodbye Baby
- Goodbye Josh
- Goodnight Irene
- Greenland Whale Fisheries
- Greenwood
- Hangman
- Have You Been To Jail For Justice?
- Hayo, Haya
- Hey Sad Sack
- Home Is Where the Heart Is
- Home On The Range/Don’t Ever Take Away My Freedom
- House Of The Rising Sun
- How Can I Keep From Singing/The Great Storm Is Over
- Hurry Sundown
- Hush-a-Bye
- Hymn
- I Am Your Child
- I Dig Rock & Roll Music
- I Guess He’d Rather Be In Colorado
- I Have A Song To Sing, O.
- I Know An Old Lady
- I Need Me To Be For Me
- I Shall Be Released
- I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
- I Wonder As I Wander
- I’d Rather Be In Love
- I’m In Love With A Big Blue Frog
- If I Had A Hammer
- If I Had My Way
- If I Had Wings
- If I Were Free
- Indian Sunset
- Inside
- Invisible People
- It Ain’t Me , Babe
- It’s Magic
- It’s Raining
- Jane, Jane
- Jesus Is On The Wire
- Jesus Met The Woman
- Jimmy Whalen
- John Henry Bosworth
- Ju Les Ver Negre En Cheese
- Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
- Kumbaya
- Le Deserteur
- Leatherwing Bat
- Leaving On A Jet Plane
- Lemon Tree
- Light One Candle
- Like The First Time
- Listen, Mr. Bigot
- Little Ship
- Long Chain On
- Love City (Postcards to Duluth)
- Lucy
- Make-Believe Town
- Man Come Into Egypt
- Man Of Constant Sorrow
- Mary Beth
- Meanings Will Change
- Mi Caballo Blanco
- Michael Row the Boat Ashore
- Midnight Special
- Mockingbird
- Moments of Soft Persuasion
- Mon Vrai Destin
- Monday Morning
- Morning Train
- Motherless Child
- Ms. Rheingold
- Music Speaks Louder Than Words
- No Easy Walk To Freedom
- No Choice
- No Man’s Land
- No Other Name
- Norman Normal
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- Of This World
- Oh, Had I A Golden Thread
- Oh, Rock My Soul
- Old Coat
- Old Enough
- On A Desert Island
- On The Path Of Glory
- One Kind Favor
- Pack Up Your Sorrows
- Parallel Universe
- Pastures of Plenty
- Paultalk
- Plato’s Song
- Poem For Erika/For Baby
- Polly Von
- Power
- Pretty Mary
- Puff (The Magic Dragon)
- Quit Your Low Down Ways
- Reason To Believe
- Rhymes and Reasons
- Rich Man Poor Man
- Right Field
- River of Jordan
- Rocky Road
- Rolling Home
- San Francisco Bay Blues
- Sebastian
- Semper Fi
- September Song
- Settle Down
- She Dreams
- Show The Way
- Side Road
- Single Girl
- Somagwaza/Hey, Motswala
- Some Walls
- Sometime Lovin’
- Somos El Barco
- Song For The Asking
- Song of Peace(Finlandia)
- Space Suits
- State of the Heart
- Stewball
- Such Is Love
- Summer Highland Falls
- Sweet Survivor
- Take Off Your Mask
- Take The Chance
- Talkin’ Candy Bar Blues
- Tall Pine Trees
- Tell It On The Mountain
- Tender Hands
- The Cherry Tree Carol
- The Cuckoo
- The Eddystone Light
- The First Time Ever I Saw
- The Fox
- The Friendly Beasts
- The Good Times We Had
- The Great Mandala (Mandella)
- The House Song
- The Kid
- The King of Names
- The Last Thing on my Mind
- The Love In You
- The Magi
- The Marvelous Toy
- The Other Side of This Life
- The Rising of The Moon
- The Song Is Love
- The Times They Are A’Changin’
- The Unicorn Song
- There But For Fortune
- There Is A Ship
- There’s Anger In The Land
- This Land Is Your Land
- This Train
- Three Ravens
- Tiger
- Tiny Sparrow
- Too Much of Nothing
- Tramp On The Street
- Tryin’ To Win
- ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
- Union Medley
- Very Last Day
- Virtual Party
- Wanderin’/Nobody Knows
- Wasn’t That A Time
- Wayfaring Stranger
- We Shall Overcome
- We Wish You A Merry Christmas
- Weave Me The Sunshine
- Wedding Song (There Is Love)
- Weep For Jamie
- Well, Well, Well
- Whatshername
- When The Ship Comes In
- Where Have All the Flowers Gone
- Whispered Words
- Wild Places
- Wings of Time
- With Your Face To The Wind
- Would You Like To Learn To Dance
- Yesterday’s Tomorrow
- You Can Tell the World
- Yuppies in the Sky
