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The 'Allan Water' is a river in central Scotland, United Kingdom. Rising in the Ochil Hills, it runs through Strathallan to Dunblane and Bridge of Allan before joining the River Forth.
Two broadside ballads refer to the Allan Water. According to one, the "Allan Water's wide and deep, and my dear Anny's very bonny; Wides the Straith that lyes above't if't were mine I'de give it all for Anny." The other, more familiar ballad begins "On the banks of Allan Water" and proceeds to relate the story of the death of a local miller's daughter whose soldier lover proves untrue.