Vincent Black Lightning
Vincent Black Lightning - by Richard Thompson - is one of my all-time favourite songs which I used to play regularly and, most often, in the car for some reason.
Now it's a simple take of boy meets girl - a old-fashioned ballad, an impossible love story - a kind of modern day mash-up between Ned Kelly and James Dean.
I always think of two things when I listen to the song - my children who were often in the car with me when I was driving - and my old friend Eddy Coulson.
Now the reason I think of my friend Eddy is less obvious - he hasn't robbed any banks (as far as I know), but he does have a love of motorbikes - and his wife, Tessa, has lovely dark red hair which always makes me think of 'Red Molly'.
In any event, here are the words to the song and a link to a YouTube video - of Richard Thompson singing Vincent Black Lightning live.
http://youtu.be/2lCH5JgWCZY
Vincent Black Lightning
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 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 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.
