tuesday

"Red hair and black leather,

that's my favorite color scheme..."

Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

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 favourite colour scheme." And he pulled her on behind
and down to Boxhill 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.

Best fucking motorcycle song ever. No contest.

Chokes me up every time I hear it, and this is a particularly good performance.