1952 Vincent Black Lightning

Richard Thompson

Key of C · Chords: I IV V ii

Verse 1

C                                      F
Said Red Molly to James, that's a fine motorbike,
F                                     C
A girl could feel special on any such like
C                                        F
Said James to Red Molly, my hat's off to you
F                               C
It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952
         G                           F        C
And I've seen you at the corners and cafes it seems
G                              F              C
Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme
       Dm            F
And he pulled her on behind
F                          C
And down to Knoxville they did ride

Verse 2

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

Verse 3

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
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
Said I'll give you my Vincent to ride

Verse 4

Said young James in my opinion, there's nothing in this world
Now Nortons and Indians and Greeveses won't do
They don't have a soul like a Vincent 52
And he reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys
He said I don't have any further use for these
I see angels on Ariels in leather and chrome
Swooping down from heaven to carry me home
He gave her one last kiss and died
And he gave her his Vincent to ride.