1952 Vincent Black Lightning Lyrics

“It’s a simple boy-meets-girl story, complicated somewhat by the presence of a motorcycle.” That’s the humble introduction given by Richard Thompson in a YouTube clip of a performance of "1952 Vincent Black Lightning",” his unforgettable folk ballad found on 1991’s Rumor And Sigh. It may indeed be an uncomplicated story, but it is brought to life in thrilling and moving fashion by this perpetually underrated singer-songwriter. When Thompson’s name is mentioned, it is often in the context of his guitar work, which is indeed magnificent on this track. Finger picking his acoustic at lightning speed, he takes listeners on a ride every bit as breathtaking in its way as one the James and Red Molly take aboard the titular bike. Yet his lyrics deserve just as much credit for the song’s success. For those not up on their motorcycle history, the Vincent Black Lightning was only in production in Great Britain for a four-year span, but in that time it was the favored weapon of choice for those daredevils looking to break land speed records. Still, it’s not necessary to know any of this to understand the allure of the bike for the two main characters in the song. Red Molly is attracted to both speed and danger, making the sight of James on his Vincent simply irresistible. The feeling is likewise, as James lets her know: “Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme.” As anyone who has heard a folk ballad or two can probably guess, their time together is bound to be fleeting. James, an outlaw with a heart of gold, acknowledges this: “Now I’m 21 years, I might make 22/And I don’t mind dying, but for the love of you.” Their hopes to ride their rapid motorbike into the sunset together quickly fade when an armed robbery gone awry leads to mortal wounds for James, giving him just enough time to confess his undying love to Red Molly. Yes, it’s a cliché, but Thompson imbues their last goodbye with such genuine emotion that it transcends all the times this story has been told before. James knows he’s had it good in his brief time on Earth, considering he was able to partake in his two deepest desires: “Says James, ‘In my opinion, there’s nothing in this world/Beats a 52 Vincent and a red-headed girl.’” As his time runs out, his version of the afterlife appears before his dying eyes, “I see angels on Ariels in leather and chrome/Swooping down from heaven to carry me home.” He gives Red Molly one last kiss, but not before he hands her over the keys to the motorcycle, allowing her to take all the rides that are now denied to him. It’s a misty-eyed moment. "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" may be, at face value, just a simple tale about a girl, a guy, and a motorcycle, but, thanks to the inimitable talent of Richard Thompson, it’s nothing short of epic. Lyrics 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