Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

Oh says Red Molly to James "That's a fine motorbike.
A girl could feel special on any such like"
Says 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
Oh says James to Red Molly "Here's a ring for your right hand
But I'll tell you in earnest I'm a dangerous man.
For 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
He 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 Greeves won't do,
Ah, they don't have a soul like a Vincent 52"
Oh he reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys
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.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Richard
• Thompson
• Fairport
• Convention

[FENNYMAN]

I haven't looked for a while but the last time I did I couldn't find it on an album. Any developments?

[Cleapatr]

@FENNYMAN It's on "Rumor and Sigh" or the "Action Packed" compilation

[fivethumbsfrank]

My Dad was called James, He road triumphs in the 50's and 60's He always talked about Vincent bikes and how He always wanted one. He rode around the cafe's in the area this song mentions, He died a few years back on a track day and brands hatch on his incoming lap, He didn't crash the bike slowed down His heart stopped the bike came to a stop lay down on its side and He was gone. He would not have wanted it any other way. Richard Thomson wrote a masterpiece that for me is about my Dad.

[77droog77]

red hair and black leather .. my favourite colour scheme

[craziesful]

bill from left 4 dead ?

[TriumphT140]

This song always reminds me of pop. After he died and I had to hack into his email to notify people it wasn't hard, his password was Vincent. I owe my love, respect, and passion for motorcycles, especially English bikes to him.

[ericl777]

My favorite song for 20+ years now. Nothing tops it for me. Thanks RT!

[WatTyler13]

500+ likes. No dislikes. Surely some kind of record? Testimony, too, to the power of Thompson that even trolling, hating wankers can't bring themselves to give it a thumbs down.

[PiratePTG]

I just downloaded both the "Live from Austin" version and the "Action Packed" digital remix from Amazon. Get the Live version. "Action Packed" sounds horrible! WAAAAY too digitally processed. I don't know who was mastering it but OMG! It's so tinny and no depth to the music. Sounds like it was mixed in somebody's bathroom.

However, if you REALLY, REALLY like this song, get a YouTube converter and grab a copy of this video. It has the best sound of any version I've heard anywhere, period!

[boogieeck]

A rare thing, a RT song with a happy ending when the thieving little shit gets killed.

[lastdaysguitar]

RT fan for decades - FAVORITED!!!

[poloball23]

check out reckless kelly's version

[vinnieagogo]

I drooled on a Vincent!

In Mean Marshalls Motorcycles when he was in Berkeley Ca.

He didn't kick my ass till later years..

[Joltzz1985]

One of my top10 songs in music history. Magical man Thompson is. He has ever element of a musician that grabs you ya know? Is it even surprising that it brings some to tears? Not at all my friends.