"Written by Burns, and inserted in Johnson's Museum. Afton Water is a small stream in Ayrshire, on the banks of which stands Afton Lodge, the residence of Mrs. Stewart, who forms the subject of this song. Currie says, 'the song was presented to her in return for her notice, the first he ever received from a person in her rank.'"—Alexander Whitelaw, "Afton Water" in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).
