Ally Bally Bee Nursery Rhyme Lyrics with Printable


Ally Bally is a Scottish folk song written by Robert Coltart to market his candy in the 19th century. It’s also known as Coltart’s Candy and Ally Bally Bee. Although Coltart’s candy disappeared along with him, the song lived on and was passed on by those who heard it over their generations to this day.

Coltart died poor and was buried in an unmarked grave, but his contribution to traditional songs was recognized when the Scottish Borders Council made a statue in his honour in 2019.

Today you can sing his song that lilts with a danceable swagger perfect for kids to entertain themselves.

Lyrics for Ally Bally Bee

Although the most popular song variations only sing the first verse, the full song has five more verses. That first verse also acts as the chorus for the song.

SCOTTISH VERSION

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.

The song was originally written by Robert Coltart a scotsman, thus words such as tae, mair and atween in the song but today it is generally sung as below:

Ally bally, ally bally bee,
Sitting on your mommy’s knee,
Crying for a wee penny,
To buy some Coulter’s candy.

(The above verse is used as the chorus)

Ally bally, ally bally bee,
When you grow up, you’ll go to the sea,
Making pennies for your daddy and me,
To buy more Coulter’s Candy.

(Chorus)

Mommy get me my bank down,
Here’s old Coulter coming around,
With a basket on his head,
Selling Coulter’s Candy.

(Chorus)

Little Annie’s crying to
See what can poor little Mammy do
But give them a penny between them two
To buy more Coulter’s Candy.

(Chorus)

Poor little Jeanie’s looking awfully thin,
A heap of bones covered over with skin,
Now she’s getting a little double chin
With sucking Coulter’s Candy.

Videos for Ally Bally Bee

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Samantha

Samantha Bellerose has a Bachelor of Education as well as a Diploma in Performing Arts. She is a mom to four children and is passionate about education and learning. Samantha created Nursery Rhyme Central as the go to place for parents, teachers and carers about all things to do with Nursery Rhymes. She is also the Main Author and creator for websites Dance Parent 101 and Move Dance Learn, where she shares her knowledge and expertise for dance and learning through movement.

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