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
• 1952
• Vincent
• Black
• Lightning

[MaxofBH]

this is just one of the greatest songs ever written, at any time, by anyone. devastaing

[savagepa1]

just saw RT play last week,,, and he did this...how incredible it is live. I rode a Black Lightning when I was a younger man ( long before this song was written) and it did have a soul....... now if only I had dated a redhead named Molly...

[sophiekitten1]

@MaxofBH It's excellent!Thanks!

[BMWLDRider]

....and if fate should break my stride; I'll give you my Vincent to ride. Damn!

[welcome2myhell]

The Master of guitar, song, and emotion.

[welcome2myhell]

@MaxofBH TRUTH

[mrwibbles1]

I also think this is the best version. The pacing just adds drama. I heard a recording from the Winnipeg Folk Festival that is definitely  in the same vein.

[shellyboy9]

What's negative to say about this? A fine example of the folk/blues/bluegrass tradition - with a touch of Erin.

[buckaroo316]

best version ever, period , awesome! please do

not remove

[nettlehart]

Thanks to you for posting this best version i've seen so far. Heard this the first time by a nervous man not at all sure he could play it. He played just enough that i searched for it until finding the original. I don't much like the most popular version by Del whomever (i'm sure they're great in their own right but this is out of their sphere) and i've heard so many versions. No one does it like Richard Thompson, and that is exactly how it should be.