Sweet Afton

Album: Nickel Creek (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lyrics to this song were written by the Scotish poet Robert Burns in the 1700s. It is contrasting the death of the character Mary with the flow of the river Afton, which is a metaphor for the passage of time. Chris Thile of Nickel Creek was laughing about this at a live performance because when he wrote the melody (which is in a major key), he wasn't sure whether she was dead or not. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Spencer - Hull, GA

Comments: 1

  • Julia from Richland, WaI really like this song!! It is so very beautiful!! I just love it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.