Coulter's Candy
The Irish Rovers Lyrics


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Ally Bally Ally Bally Bee
Sittin' on your mammy's knee
Waitin' for a wee bawbee (bawbee - halfpenny)
Tae buy some Coulter's candy

Ally Bally Ally Bally Bee
When you grow up you'll go to sea
Makin' pennies for your daddy and me
Tae buy some Coulter's candy

Mammy gie's ma thrifty doon (thrifty - money box)
Here's old Coulter comin' roon'
Wi' a basket on his croon (croon - head)
Sellin' Coulter's candy

Puir wee Annie, greetin' tae (puir wee - poor little)
What can puir wee mammy dae
Gie them a penny atween them twae
Tae buy some Coulter's candy

Puir wee Jeannie, she's lookin' awfu' thin
A rickle o' bones covered ower wi' skin (rickle - bundle)




Noo she's gettin' a wee double chin
Sookin' Coulter's candy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Irish Rovers' song Coulter's Candy tell a story about a child sitting on their mother's lap, waiting for a halfpenny to buy Coulter's candy. The song continues, with the child growing up to go to sea and make money to buy candy for their parents. Coulter, the candy seller, comes around with his basket on his head, selling his candy, and the poor wee children, Annie and Jeannie, only have a penny between them to buy the candy. Despite being thin and bony, Jeannie eventually gets a double chin from sucking on Coulter's candy.


Line by Line Meaning

Ally Bally Ally Bally Bee
A lighthearted and playful way to address a child or a loved one


Sittin' on your mammy's knee
Sitting on your mother's lap, cozy and safe


Waitin' for a wee bawbee
Waiting for a halfpenny to buy some candy


Tae buy some Coulter's candy
To buy some of the famous Coulter's candy, which could potentially brighten up the day


When you grow up you'll go to sea
You will become a sailor and travel the world when you get older


Makin' pennies for your daddy and me
Working hard to earn money for your family


Here's old Coulter comin' roon'
A familiar sight of Mr. Coulter making his rounds selling his candy


Wi' a basket on his croon
With a basket on his head, carrying his delightful treats


Puir wee Annie, greetin' tae
Poor little Annie, crying


What can puir wee mammy dae
What can her poor mother do to comfort her


Gie them a penny atween them twae
Give them a penny to share, to buy some candy and potentially provide a moment of happiness


Puir wee Jeannie, she's lookin' awfu' thin
Poor little Jeannie is looking very thin, frail and fragile


A rickle o' bones covered ower wi' skin
Emphasizing how skinny and unhealthy Jeannie looks, with just skin and bones


Noo she's gettin' a wee double chin
Now she is enjoying Coulter's candy and gaining a bit of weight, which is seen as cute


Sookin' Coulter's candy
Sucking and savoring the delicious candy




Contributed by Lucy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Ian Burt


on Bluenose

You have missed out a verse.

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