Song: "1952 Vincent Black Lightning"
Artist: Richard Thompson
Year: 1991
Artist: Richard Thompson
Year: 1991
LYRICS
Said Red Molly to James that’s a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said James to Red Molly, well 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
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
Said Red Molly to James that’s a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said James to Red Molly, well 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
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
WHY?
The rebellious Greaser image is described in this 1991 song by Richard Thompson. "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" tells the tale of James, a 21 year-old outlaw who is unsure if he will live long enough to see his 22nd birthday, and Red Molly, his love interest. The motorcycle and a red-headed girl are the prized possessions that define his Greaser image. The lyrics describe James dying with pride, as his image lives on through his motorcycle. The song also refers to James' acts of robbery to obtain enough money to buy his precious 1952 Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle, which was known for its speed. As Thompson himself described his own song, he humbly stated, "It's a simply boy-meets-girl story, complicated by the presence of a motorcycle." This song describes the drastic measures that some Greasers would take just to maintain their "tough guy" image, including robbery.
The rebellious Greaser image is described in this 1991 song by Richard Thompson. "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" tells the tale of James, a 21 year-old outlaw who is unsure if he will live long enough to see his 22nd birthday, and Red Molly, his love interest. The motorcycle and a red-headed girl are the prized possessions that define his Greaser image. The lyrics describe James dying with pride, as his image lives on through his motorcycle. The song also refers to James' acts of robbery to obtain enough money to buy his precious 1952 Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle, which was known for its speed. As Thompson himself described his own song, he humbly stated, "It's a simply boy-meets-girl story, complicated by the presence of a motorcycle." This song describes the drastic measures that some Greasers would take just to maintain their "tough guy" image, including robbery.