The B and C parts of this tune were originally an older tune called Bill Groggin's Goat or Barney's Goat or "S Óró 'Thaidhg, a Ghrá", dating back as far as the 16th century. The A part was possibly written by Tommy Potts, but it is very similar to a tune called Bothar an gCloch that dates from the 18th century or earlier. The Butterfly was used as the theme song for the movie The Secret of Roan Inish.