There are several theories about the title’s origin. One suggests it refers to a love pledge between a couple soon parted by sea or military service. Another ties it to a failed temperance pledge from the days of the temperance movement—an Irish tradition has children vowing not to drink before age twenty, which few keep. The tune is sometimes played in E minor; while the ‘F’ note is usually natural, pipers often use F♯, and players like Galway flutist Paddy Carty have even alternated between both.