A RARE poem by Robert Burns – that gave the tune to the Christmas carol Away in a Manger – is expected to fetch £20,000 when it goes under the hammer at auction later this year.
The hand-written manuscript of Afton Brae was penned by Burns in 1789.
Now known as Sweet Afton, the poem is considered one of Burns's most beautiful lyrics, and is one of the best-loved.
It romantically describes the Afton Water, near the bard's home in Cumnock, Ayrshire, and his sweetheart Mary sleeping by its "murmuring stream".
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