OT - "1952 Vincent Black Lightening"
12-07-2017, 09:07 PM
#1
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OT - "1952 Vincent Black Lightening"
Had to share these lyrics to "1952 Vincent Black Lightening" written by Richard Thompson, which I stumbled upon while following a recent BaT auction of a 1952 Vincent Rapide.
Whether it be two-wheel or four, a man's love for his machine is something all of us here can relate to.
“1952 Vincent Black Lightning”
♫ Said Red Molly to James that’s a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said 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
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 Greeves 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 ♫
Whether it be two-wheel or four, a man's love for his machine is something all of us here can relate to.
“1952 Vincent Black Lightning”
♫ Said Red Molly to James that’s a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said 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
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 Greeves 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 ♫
12-07-2017, 09:33 PM
#2
Just FYI, while no one does it like Richard Thompson, its become a bit of a Bluegrass standard, due in large part to Del McCoury.
https://www.google.com/search?client...w=1366&bih=635
https://www.google.com/search?client...w=1366&bih=635
12-07-2017, 09:58 PM
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^^^^^^ Thanks for that.
Can't say this style of music is my cup of tea, but those lyrics . . . wow. I've been riding bikes for decades and I thought I knew every motorcycle song out there. Can't believe I had never heard of this classic. Always learning something!
During the auction of the bike someone posted a Vincent ad from the late 1930’s that read:
“A man who rides a Rapide by day and sleeps out under a bridge at night has a full life and should want for nothing more.”
Same could be said of many a Porsche!
Can't say this style of music is my cup of tea, but those lyrics . . . wow. I've been riding bikes for decades and I thought I knew every motorcycle song out there. Can't believe I had never heard of this classic. Always learning something!
During the auction of the bike someone posted a Vincent ad from the late 1930’s that read:
“A man who rides a Rapide by day and sleeps out under a bridge at night has a full life and should want for nothing more.”
Same could be said of many a Porsche!
12-07-2017, 11:28 PM
#4
As a bike aficionado, you will probably find this piece of history about another Vincent enthusiast interesting.
https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/c...lack-lightning
https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/c...lack-lightning
12-08-2017, 01:02 AM
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Great read! Thanks for sharing.
Can't say I know much about Vincents other than their mythical reputation and the reverence they hold in the hearts of vintage bike guys. BSA, Triumph and Norton were the Brit bikes I was preoccupied with in my youth and was lucky enough to have a St. Louis dealer located just a few blocks from my childhood home where I would spend countless hours after school.
Can't say I know much about Vincents other than their mythical reputation and the reverence they hold in the hearts of vintage bike guys. BSA, Triumph and Norton were the Brit bikes I was preoccupied with in my youth and was lucky enough to have a St. Louis dealer located just a few blocks from my childhood home where I would spend countless hours after school.
12-12-2017, 03:27 PM
#7
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One of my all-time favorite songs!
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