
Info
Robert Coltart sold candy in the 19th century in Scotland. It became known as “Coulter’s candy.”
Lyrics - Scots
(Folk song from Scotland)
Ally bally, ally bally bee,
Sittin’ on yer mammy’s knee,
Greetin’ for a wee bawbee,
Tae buy some Coulter’s candy.
Poor wee Jeanie’s gettin’ awfy thin,
A rickle o’ banes covered ower wi’ skin,
Noo she’s gettin’ a wee double chin,
Wi’ sookin’ Coulter’s Candy.
Mammy gie’s ma thrifty doon,
Here’s auld Coulter comin’ roon’,
Wi’ a basket on his croon,
Selling Coulter’s Candy.
When you grow old, a man to be,
you’ll work hard and you’ll sail the seas,
an’ bring hame pennies for your faither and me,
Tae buy mair Coulter’s Candy.
Coulter he’s a affa funny man,
He maks his candy in a pan,
Awa an greet to yer ma,
Tae buy some Coulter’s candy.
Little Annie’s greetin’ tae,
Sae whit can puir wee Mammy dae,
But gie them a penny atween them twae,
Tae buy mair Coulter’s Candy.
English Translation - Ally Bally
Ally bally, ally bally bee,
Sitting on your mommy’s knee,
Crying for a small coin,
To buy some Coulter’s candy.
Poor little Jeanie’s getting awfully thin,
A pile of bones covered over with skin,
Now she’s getting a little double chin,
With healthy Coulter’s Candy.
Mommy give me money down,
Here’s old Coulter coming around,
With a basket on his crown/head,
Selling Coulter’s Candy.
When you grow old, a man to be,
You’ll work hard and you’ll sail the seas,
and bring home pennies for your father and me,
To buy more Coulter’s Candy.
Coulter he’s a awfully funny man,
He makes his candy in a pan,
Away and greet to your mom,
To buy some Coulter’s candy.
Little Annie’s crying too,
See what can poor little Mommy did,
But give them a penny between them two,
To buy more Coulter’s Candy. (source)
See also
- Country: Scotland
- Subject: family
- Harmony: chords I IV V
- Melody: tonic triad / high do / D,E,F#,G,A,B,D’
- Meter: 4
- Rhythm:
- Scale: hexachord
- Tones: drmfsl
- Source: Wee Sing Around the World,Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp, Price Stern Sloan, 1994
YouTube
- PDF of song with chords
- MIDI file
- Listen to the melody

