Coulter's Candy
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1972.203.B3
Original Tape ID
Summary
Recollection of Coltart selling his candy in Peebles, and singing 'Coulter's Candy'.
David Lawson recalls Coltart the sweet seller in Peebles. He used to have his candy made up in small bags, which he would hold up between his fingers, and he would sing the song now known as 'Coulter's Candy'. He could often be found outside Adam Redpath's, now [1971] Clark's.
Mr Lawson recites the song.
Item Notes
Composed by Robert Coltart (d. 1890) from Galashiels as a sort of advertising jingle for his sweets. Coltard died in 1880, aged 43, of a brain tumour. His song, also commonly known as 'Ally Bally', is to this day one of the most popular nursery rhymes in Scotland.
See:
'Games a Bogie' (M. Sinclair, 1989) p. 13
'Murder Murder Polis' (M. Sinclair, 1986) p. 13
'The Singing Street' (J. T. Ritchie, 1964) p. 54
Item Subject/Person
Coltart, Robert
Item Location
County - Peeblesshire
Parish - Peebles
Village/Place - Peebles
Language
English, Scots
Genre
Collection
Classification
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Fair