It is thought that Neainsín Bhán may have been composed circa 1860s. It was first collected by Séamus Ennis on behalf of the Folklore Commission of Ireland in the 1940s. Neainsín Bhán is a love song of a young man, though there appears to be a verse or two put in the mouth of a young woman. It is difficult to find a continuous meaning in the song, and some believe that it is a combination of more than one song. It is obvious that the young man is not successful in wooing the young woman in question and it seems she advises him to get another woman. Rinneadh taiféad le Seosamh Ó hÉanaí ó Chonamara, ag casadh an t-amhrán mór grá seo i 1957.