It's about duty. It is always about duty.

The story concerns Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Frederic finds out, however, that he was born on 29 February, and so, technically, he only has a birthday each leap year. His apprenticeship indentures state that he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday, and so he must serve for another 63 years.  Bound by his own sense of duty, Frederic's only solace is that Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully.

Obviously the story is complicated and words to the songs just fly by but the essence is "duty". It would appear that at one time one's word was his bond no matter how scatter-brained.   Looking at our political future - the elections now a year away - Oh wish for that now.