A friend of mine, Lee Clemens, from Departure Bike Works in Richmond, Virginia, told me about this song. I tried to listen to the Country Western version on his I-phone, but I couldn’t catch the lyrics, so of course, I searched the Internet and immediately found the amazing lyrics.
The second aspect of the search was the most fun; find a girl and a Vincent Black Shadow (actually a Vincent Black Lightning). Markus Cuff and I shot a pristine Black Shadow along side Century Cycles in San Pedro. The owner, I believe, was a pilot, who rode his perfect Vincent a couple of times a year. For some reason we never followed up on that story. Could we find him again, or would Cindy or her son let us shoot the perfect Redhead with one of their Vincents? Cindy’s dad rode Vincents back in the ‘50s and raced guys every weekend for pink slips. He never lost.
Then I toured the Milwaukee H-D Museum special Black Leather exhibit. It displayed and documented the history of black leather motorcycle jackets and various styles, including a lot of rock ‘n’ roll twists on the tradition motorcycle jacket.
At one point in the exhibit I ran across the perfect Redhead wearing a very stylish, full length, black leather jacket/trench coat. It was form fitting, cut just in the right places, revealing the most absolutely succulent soft flesh of her long leg. If I could have bought that jacket, I would have, and searched for this gorgeous Redhead for the rest of my life.
I reached out to Bikernet Readers, and Redheads flowed in from Tinman, Pablo, Jerry Southworth, Markus Cuff, and Chuck Riddle. I have a feeling this endeavor won’t end until we discover the perfect girl, with the correct Black Shadow, and just the right leather outfit, in a proximity where one of our esteemed photographers can capture the perfect images, under warm lights, in an ideal location. Are we asking too much?
Enjoy these lyrics. As you read them, I’m sure you will feel the deep rich pangs of our lust to bring all these sexy elements together.
Lyrics to 1952 Vincent Black Lightning:
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
These are 1952 Vincent Black Lightning Lyrics from http://www.lyricsmania.com/
