1952 Vincent Black Lightning
The Del McCoury Band Lyrics
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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 Knoxville 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 to 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
The Del McCoury Band's song "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" tells the story of James Adie, a man who is in love with Red Molly, a woman he meets on his black Vincent motorcycle. Together they ride from town to town until he is captured by the police and taken to the hospital with a shotgun wound. With little time left, James gives Red Molly his beloved Vincent so she can ride it in his memory after he dies.
The song is an exploration of themes such as love, freedom, and mortality. James is a dangerous character, having fought with the law from a young age and robbed many men to get his Vincent machine. However, he is willing to give up everything for the love of Red Molly, even his life. The lyrics show the bond that they had and the significance of the Vincent motorcycle to James as something that is part of him and his identity. The motorcycle symbolizes freedom, rebellion, and identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Said Red Molly to James that's a fine motorbike
Red Molly complimented James on his impressive motorcycle.
A girl could feel special on any such like
Red Molly felt special riding on such an impressive motorcycle.
Said James to Red Molly, well my hat's off to you
James appreciated Red Molly's compliment.
It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952
The motorcycle is a rare and valuable classic model from 1952.
And I've seen you at the corners and cafes it seems
James has noticed Red Molly riding around town.
Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme
James finds Red Molly's appearance attractive with her red hair and black leather outfit.
And he pulled her on behind
James invited Red Molly to ride with him on the motorcycle.
And down to Knoxville they did ride
James and Red Molly took a ride on the motorcycle to Knoxville.
Said James to Red Molly, here's a ring for your right hand
James proposed to Red Molly and gave her a ring.
But I'll tell you in earnest I'm a dangerous man
James admits to being involved in criminal activities.
I've fought with the law since I was seventeen
James has a history of criminal behavior since he was young.
I robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine
James acquired the valuable motorcycle by stealing from others.
Now I'm 21 years, I might make 22
James realizes that he may not live much longer due to his criminal activities.
And I don't mind dying, but for the love of you
James is willing to risk his life for Red Molly.
And if fate should break my stride
James is prepared for the possibility of his death.
Then I'll give you my Vincent to ride
James wants Red Molly to keep the motorcycle as a token of his love.
Come down, come down, Red Molly, called Sergeant McRae
The police notified Red Molly about James' arrest.
For they've taken young James Adie for armed robbery
James was arrested for armed robbery.
Shotgun blast to his chest, left nothing inside
James was fatally wounded by a shotgun blast to his chest.
Oh, come down, Red Molly to his dying bedside
Red Molly was asked to visit James on his deathbed.
When she came to the hospital, there wasn't much left
James was close to death when Red Molly arrived at the hospital.
He was running out of road, he was running out of breath
James knew he was going to die soon.
But he smiled to see her cry
James felt comforted to see that Red Molly still cared for him even though he was dying.
And said I'll give you my Vincent to ride
James repeated his desire for Red Molly to keep the motorcycle as a symbol of their love after he dies.
Says James, in my opinion, there's nothing in this world
James loved the motorcycle more than anything else in the world.
Beats a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl
Nothing could compare to having a 1952 Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle with a red-headed girl riding on it.
Now Nortons and Indians and Greeveses won't do
Other motorcycle brands cannot compare to a Vincent Black Lightning 1952 model.
They don't have a soul like a Vincent 52
The Vincent Black Lightning has a unique character and spirit that other motorcycles lack.
He reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys
James gave Red Molly the keys to the motorcycle before he died.
He said I've got no further use for these
James had no need for the motorcycle keys anymore because he was dying.
I see angels on Ariels in leather and chrome
James hallucinates seeing angels on motorcycles in his dying moments.
Swooping down from heaven to carry me home
James believes that the angels are coming to take him to heaven.
And he gave her one last kiss and died
James died after giving Red Molly a final kiss.
And he gave her his Vincent to ride
James wanted Red Molly to keep the valuable motorcycle as a symbol of their love after he passed away.
Contributed by Oliver E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Cheecher421
Absolute legend and hands down one of the greatest smiles ever. I cannot hear Dels voice without seeing his smile and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
@tlwisner
They took a great song and knocked it out of the park. Bluegrass is all about talent and music and here it is 110%
@Adamfront
I think it's very cool that Del and his boys decided to cover this. Del just owns it.
@mariawagner7057
Yes he does!
@ginarussell4812
Great song! Reminds me of a dear friend of mine who was a banjo player and a motorcycle rider too! RIP R.L. Johnson!
@richardbrucemusic
I'm a huge Richard Thompson fan - and this song is one of my favs - but Del McCoury puts his heart into it, and how can you not like that? I like it!
@lawsonstallings1955
Just shy of sacred, is this ballad. Thank you Del and crew!
@bk1bennett
Saw the band perform the same song last Saturday in Dallas. What a treasure indeed. I am so very glad Del McCoury is still with us. He is gracious, humble and incredibly talented. Just a good ole’ country lad.
@robertdenger2444
Yes! Saw him at n Chicago a few weeks ago and at 84 YO was fantastic!
@GlenHleathercraft
it doesn't get any better, this is the greatest Bluegrass song ever. No one can do it like Del.