Lyrics Richard Thompson

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 favorite color scheme

And he pulled her on behind

And down to Box Hill, 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 twenty-one years, I might make twenty-two

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 Greeves's won't do

Ahh, they don't have a soul like a Vincent 52"

Oh, he reached for her hand then 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