Afton Water

Gilbert Burns, the poet's brother, identified the Mary of this most noteworthy ballad as "Highland Mary", the

poet's first love, who died in 1786. The words are now appropriately married to a heavenly melody

FLOW gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes,

Flow gently, I’11 sing thee a song in thy praise;

My Mary’s asleep by thy murmuring stream,

Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.

Thou stock-dove whose echo resounds thro’ the glen,

Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny den,

Thou green-crested lapwing thy screaming forbear,

I charge you disturb not my slumbering fair.

How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighbouring hills,

Far mark’d with the courses of clear, winding rills;

There daily I wander as noon rises high,

My flocks and my Mary’s sweet cot in my eye.