“Coulter's Candy”
Description
"Ally, bally, ally bally bee, Sittin' on yer mammy's knee, Greetin' for anither bawbee, Tae buy mair Coulter's candy." The parents feed the slender boy on candy, say he will grow up to go to sea, or will later buy candy for them
Notes
Murray Shoolbraid's notes in the Digital Tradition cite Buchan to the effect that "Coulter" was in fact a Scottish candy-seller named Robert Coltart who was active around 1900. This is the most substantial description I've seen of who Coulter/Colter was -- but I've heard performers cite other sources. So I suppose it's not quite proved. - RBW
References
- Montgomerie-ScottishNR 154, "Colter's Candy" (1 short text)
- DT, COULTR COULTR2
- BI, MSNR154