Make use of your mither tongue

Write the way you talk is Allan Plenderleith’s advice to young writers. “Everyday Scottish words are part of the charm and the unique way we speak. I love the words used in Coulter’s Candy. My mum used to sing it to me.” 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. 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.