Calming Coulter’s candy is being used to soothe Mearns tots into the land of nod in an innovative new music initiative.
The sweet strains of harp music and favourite Scots songs including Ally Bally Bee are being played to mums and babes in local library lullaby sessions created to help little ones fall fast asleep in the do not disturb surroundings.
Fettercairn and Inverbervie libraries are among those involved in the Aberdeenshire Council progamme led by harpist Irene Watt.
During the Sing, Soothe and Sleep sessions, parents are encouraged to sing along to Scots and Doric lullabies, including the traditional favourite which was an advertising jingle for the Borders-made sweet treat.
Irene said: “Five years ago I was doing a PhD into how music affects you but nobody had looked into the lullaby type music.
“Whilst I was doing my research I contacted Aberdeenshire Council then to ask if it would be alright to go along to mother and baby groups to gather some data so once I had finished my research I took my findings to the council which eventually led to these sessions being established.
“The sessions are not only really beneficial for the babies but for the mums as well.
“It helps calm them and the babies down. It is just a lovely thing for them to do.
“Since we have started all the mums say they are really enjoying it and that it is really working,” said Irene.
Aberdeenshire libraries early years librarian Susan McKay, said: “It has been fantastic to offer these sessions in some of our smaller libraries.
“We hope the young families who attend will continue to visit the library now that they have seen the range of resources available to them and their children.
“The Sing, Soothe, Sleep lullaby sessions are different from other story, song and rhyme sessions currently offered by libraries as they are designed to relax and soothe.
“The use of Doric or Scots language is a great way of celebrating our local culture and heritage too.”
The project is one of the initiatives which is part of the ‘sense of belonging partnership between the council and Aberdeen University, aiming to encourage the use of Doric as a language and highlight traditional songs and culture from the north-east of Scotland.
A Scots classic
Ally Bally Bee was written by one-time Galashiels weaver Robert Coltart as a jingle for aniseed-flavoured sweets made locally and sold in towns across the Borders.
Thought to date back to the 1800s, the song has outlived the recipe for Coulter’s candy, which is now believed to be long gone.
The confection is mentioned in the song’s opening verse, along with the bawbee, or halfpenny coin needed to buy it.
Ally bally, ally bally bee,
Sittin’ on yer mammy’s knee,
Greetin’ for a wee bawbee
Tae buy some Coulter’s candy.
Coltart died of a brain tumour and was buried in a pauper’s grave in Eastlands cemetery, Galshiels.
