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
1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 on the corners and cafes, it seems.
Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme."
And he pulled her on behind,
They'd Ride.
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've robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine.
And now I'm twenty-one years, I might make twenty-two.
And I don't mind dyin' but for the love of you.
But if fate should break my stride, then I'll give you my Vincent, To Ride."
"Come down Red Molly," called Sargent McQuade.
"For they've taken young James Aidee 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 runnin' out of road. He was runnin' out of breath.
But he smiled, to see her cry.
And said, "I'll give you my Vincent.
To Ride."
Said James, "In my opinion, there's nothing in this world
Beats a '52 Vincent and a Redheaded girl.
Now Nortons and Indians and Greavses won't do.
Oh, they don't have a Soul like a Vincent '52."
Well 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,
Swoopin' down from Heaven to carry me home."
And he gave her one last kiss and died.
And he gave her his Vincent.
To Ride.
"1952 Vincent Black Lightning" by Richard Thompson tells the story of Red Molly and James, a couple whose love is born out of their shared love for a beautiful and legendary motorcycle - the Vincent Black Lightning. The first verse sets the scene with Red Molly admiring James's motorcycle and he, in turn, admiring her beauty in black leather, paving the way for their relationship. However, things aren't as simple for James, as his past involvement in armed robbery and his uncertain future threaten their love. He promises Red Molly his prized possession, the Vincent, as a symbol of his love and as a way for her to continue his legacy.
When James is eventually caught and fatally shot, Red Molly comes to see him in the hospital. He knows he is approaching the end of his road and tells her he will give her his prized Vincent to ride once he's gone. In the final verse, James reflects on his love for Red Molly and his passion for the Vincent Black Lightning, saying that no other motorcycle compares. He tells Red Molly that he sees angels on motorcycles like his, and passes away, giving her the keys to his Vincent.
The song is more than just a love story about a motorcycle, but rather a deeper exploration about what we leave behind when we're gone. It's about love, mortality, and the thrill of adventure, expressed through the lens of motorcycle culture. The Vincent Black Lightning, a motorcycle made in the 1950s, was an especially rare and expensive model, making it a highly sought-after collector's item.
Line by Line Meaning
Says Red Molly, to James, "Well that's a fine motorbike.
Red Molly praises James' 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.
A girl could feel special on any such like."
Red Molly comments that riding James' Vincent would make any girl feel special.
Says James, to Red Molly, "My hat's off to you.
James compliments Red Molly's taste in motorcycles.
It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952.
James specifies the make and year of his motorcycle.
And I've seen you on the corners and cafes, it seems.
James has seen Red Molly riding around town.
Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme."
James appreciates Red Molly's striking appearance when riding his beloved Vincent.
And he pulled her on behind,
James invites Red Molly to join him on the motorcycle.
And down to Boxhill,
James and Red Molly ride towards Box Hill, a popular motorcycle destination in England.
They'd Ride.
They enjoy an exhilarating ride together.
Says James, to Red Molly, "Here's a ring for your right hand.
James proposes to Red Molly and gives her a ring.
But I'll tell you in earnest I'm a dangerous man;
James warns Red Molly that he leads a dangerous life of crime.
For I've fought with the law since I was seventeen.
James has a history of criminal activity since he was a teenager.
I've robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine.
James has obtained his beloved Vincent through illegal means.
And now I'm twenty-one years, I might make twenty-two.
James acknowledges his short life expectancy due to his dangerous lifestyle.
And I don't mind dyin' but for the love of you.
James is willing to die for Red Molly's love.
But if fate should break my stride, then I'll give you my Vincent, To Ride."
If James dies, he wants Red Molly to have his Vincent motorcycle.
"Come down Red Molly," called Sargent McQuade.
A police officer informs Red Molly of James' arrest.
"For they've taken young James Aidee for Armed Robbery.
The police have arrested James for robbery.
Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside.
James has been shot and is near death.
Oh, come down, Red Molly, to his dying bedside."
The officer urges Red Molly to visit James before he dies.
When she came to the hospital, there wasn't much left.
Red Molly arrives at the hospital to find James close to death.
He was runnin' out of road. He was runnin' out of breath.
James is fading quickly and close to death.
But he smiled, to see her cry.
James finds comfort in seeing Red Molly's tears.
And said, "I'll give you my Vincent.
James again promises to give Red Molly his Vincent.
To Ride. "
He wants her to have the motorcycle after he dies.
Said James, "In my opinion, there's nothing in this world
James shares his love for his Vincent motorcycle.
Beats a '52 Vincent and a Redheaded girl.
In James' mind, nothing is better than riding his Vincent with Red Molly.
Now Nortons and Indians and Greavses won't do.
James doesn't think any other motorcycle could compare to his Vincent.
Oh, they don't have a Soul like a Vincent '52."
James believes the Vincent has a unique spirit that sets it apart from other motorcycles.
Well he reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys.
James gives Red Molly the keys to his beloved Vincent.
He said, "I've got no further use...for these.
James no longer has any need for the motorcycle keys.
I see Angels on Ariels in leather and chrome,
James envisions heavenly angels riding Ariels (another motorcycle brand) adorned in leather and chrome.
Swoopin' down from Heaven to carry me home."
James is resigned to his fate and imagines angels carrying him to the afterlife.
And he gave her one last kiss and died.
James shares one last moment with Red Molly before passing away.
And he gave her his Vincent.
True to his word, James leaves Red Molly his beloved Vincent motorcycle.
To Ride."
James wants Red Molly to keep riding the Vincent after his death.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Richard Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juliebiddle1636
I've always loved this song but I felt it needed another verse, so in the spirit of the "folk process" I've written one.
Come down young James, said Red Molly, it's your 17th year
There's breakfast on the table and a story to hear
I'll tell you of your father's last night in this world
Before I was your Mother, just a red headed girl
He wasn't any saint and he died just as he lived
He had one precious treasure in his life to give,
And she took young James outside
And gave him his father's Vincent to ride!
@dgnorwich1205
As a person who has played guitar for almost 60 years (I'm 70 now), RT's performance is truly humbling. As a rider of motorcycles for almost 50 years, I can't listen to the lyrics without a tear coming to my eye. This is simply one of the finest ballads performed by one of the finest guitar players of all time. Thank you, Richard.
@leadme2thebliss21
It's beyond me why RT is not in the Rock & Roll HOF yet but someone like Eminem is? That is totally absurd and makes zero logical sense.
@edmerkel2407
Brother you said it all, I'm 73, have three guitars, and I don't have these notes on any of them!
@leemac1659
I'm 75, been playing over 50 years. If I could play 1/10 as good as this, I'd die a happy man.
@curse4316
Only temporary are the follies of man😊
@speeddemon9555
in my humble opinion, this is one of the best songs ever written.
@ericbloss7032
My opinion too
@MrRonk55
"In my opinion, there's nothing in this world like a '52 Vincent and a red-headed girl".
@speeddemon9555
@@MrRonk55 i have two red headed sisters, with tempers, so i agree to disagree.
@Noitisnt-ns7mo
@@speeddemon9555 Better than one two headed sister. Although that probably would have been quite popular with the lefty's of our equal rights cancel cultures.