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1952 Vincent Black Lightning

One of the great motorcycle songs. Written by Richard Thompson.

Said Red Molly to James that's a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said James to Red Molly, my hat's off to you
It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952
And I've seen you at the corners and cafes it seems
Red hair and black leather, my favourite colour scheme
And he pulled her on behind
And down to Boxhill they did ride

Said James to Red Molly, here's a ring for your right hand
But I'll tell you in earnest I'm a dangerous man
I've fought with the law since I was seventeen
I robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine
Now I'm 21 years, I might make 22
And I don't mind dying, but for the love of you
And if fate should break my stride
Then I'll give you my Vincent to ride

Come down, come down, Red Molly, called Sergeant McRae
For they've taken young James Adie for armed robbery
Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside
Oh, come down, Red Molly to his dying bedside
When she came to the hospital, there wasn't much left
He was running out of road, he was running out of breath
But he smiled to see her cry
And said I'll give you my Vincent to ride

Says James, in my opinion, there's nothing in this world
Beats a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl
Now Nortons and Indians and Greeveses won't do
They don't have a soul like a Vincent 52
He reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys
He said I've got no further use for these
I see angels on Ariels in leather and chrome
Swooping down from heaven to carry me home
And he gave her one last kiss and died
And he gave her his Vincent to ride

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Comment by turtlehead on June 28, 2013 at 8:51am: Thanks everyone - very much appreciated. Y'all are making my day. This is such a great song and I've been wanting to do it for a while, but it wasn't working on my previous guitars. Some songs have to wait for the right one to come along I suppose.

I'm not a motorcycle guy, but I know a cool one when I see it and these are as sweet as any I've come across. Thanks for sharing your stories about the Vincents.

Comment by South Paw,Davey on June 28, 2013 at 8:49am: Oh Yes ;-)

Comment by Bluesheart on June 28, 2013 at 7:48am: Excellent job , really fine picking and singing on that, like the B&W theme too, goes with it. Well done.

Comment by Denny on June 28, 2013 at 2:04am: Great singin and playin.One of my favorites!

Comment by darryl kernaghan on June 28, 2013 at 1:40am: as mr vincent used to say,built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts,could also apply to your work

Comment by James on June 28, 2013 at 1:39am: good song well done !!!

Comment by Ralph Cardall on June 28, 2013 at 1:28am: After reading your blogs, I really dont think you should worry about playing gigs after this. Lovely stuff.

Comment by Boxy Music on June 28, 2013 at 12:57am: My Dad reckons he built a bike out of Vincent parts when he was younger, and one of my earliest memories is sat on one of his bikes and crying when he revved the throttle! Great song, and superbly played.

Comment by Uncle John on June 28, 2013 at 12:00am: Big ass smile. I am excited as soon as I see you've posted a vid. Then see it is this great song. Then you knock it out of the park. Wonderful.

Comment by ChickenboneJohn on June 27, 2013 at 9:24pm: Aha..I was musing about this number and playing it on 3 strings - well done for doing it! Got a nice banjo-esqe groove going on. My dad used to have a Vincent. Those were the days when a motorcycle was his daily transport...shame that these bikes are now so incredibly rare and valuable that it's almost impossible to enjoy them as they were originally intended, but I guess that's a reflection of the design, engineering and craftsmanship that went into them.