Ally Bally (Coulter's Candy)

Happy Mothering Sunday! This Scottish song was written in the 19th Century to advertise Candy. The recipe is now lost but the song lives on and is one still sung in my family. What songs are special to your family? Ally bally, ally bally bee, Sittin' on yer mammy's knee, Greetin' for a bonny bawbee, (crying) (a halfpenny) Tae buy some Coulter's candy. (to) Poor wee Jeanie's gettin' awfy thin, (awfully) A rickle o' banes covered ower wi' skin, (bones) (over) Noo she's gettin' a wee double chin, (now) Wi' sookin' Coulter's Candy. (sucking) Mammy gie's ma thrifty doon, (give) (money box) (down) Here's auld Coulter comin' roon', (old) (around) Wi' a basket on his croon, (with) (crown/head) 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. (more) Coulter he's a affa funny man, (very) He maks his candy in a pan, (makes) Awa an greet to yer ma, (away) (cry) (your) Tae buy some Coulter's candy. (to) Little Annie's greetin' tae, Sae whit can puir wee Mammy dae, (so) (what) (poor) (do) But gie them a penny atween them twae, (between) (two) Tae buy mair Coulter's Candy.