Both senses go back to
虞姬, the consort who stayed with
项羽 to the end. Legend says a red flower grew from her grave, which gave the poppy its name, and the tune is named after her too. The poem by
李煜 ends
问君能有几多愁？
恰似一江春水向东流 'How much sorrow can one hold? As much as a river of spring water flowing east', and it is said to have cost him his life.
