Sweet Afton

[1] The poem was first published as a song in the Scots Musical Museum (1787-1803) and this is the best known version as sung throughout Scotland.

The poem is also known as a song set to music in 1837 in the USA by Jonathan E. Spilman; however, this is not the melody sung in Scotland.

The song is sung by Mary Bennet (played by Marsha Hunt) in the 1940 film version of Pride and Prejudice.

The song is the basis for much of the soundtrack of Genius (2016 film), which includes a jazz arrangement, "Swing Gently Sweet Harlem," by Adam Cork.

[5] In the town of New Cumnock in East Ayrshire there is a bridge across Afton Water on the A76 upon which there is a plaque commemorating Robert Burns and his poem.

The Burns Cairn in Glen Afton; the inscription on the cairn says "Flow Gently Sweet Afton. Robert Burns 1759 - 1796. Erected by New Cumnock Burns Club (500) to mark its golden jubilee 1973."