Red Molly sings - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning. A covered song 10 years in the making. requested by many RedHeads near and far. Written by Richard Thompson. in New London, Ct. @ Friday Folk Night
Out here in wine country, CA - KRSH has been playing studio version of this. My hat's off to Red Molly for their arrangement. It brings tears to my eyes. Well done.
came across this song last month, learnt it and played it last weekend at the vintage and classic motorcycle weekend in Albany. the band was kind enough the lend me a guitar and after said this song gets played a lot at bike happenings.
I love "RED MOLLY"; I saw them and met them at Bristol. They are beautiful and excellent; all signed my hat....lol......I am glad they are still going!!!!
Says Red Molly, to James, "Well 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 on the corners and cafes, it seems. Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme." And he pulled her on behind, And down to Boxhill, 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.
Excellent rendition. Red Molly consistently delivers the heart and soul of a song. Lyrics point, seeing "Boxhill" as the destination of James' and Molly's first ride, was new for me. It is in the "official" lyrics online. Yet, The Del McCoury Band, in their superb popular bluegrass version, clearly say "Knoxville," which works fine. I always had the "feeling" that James Aidee and Red Molly were Appalachian Mountain characters. As a distinct emotive story, this one ranks up there with the relatively obscure "The Young Fisherwoman," a long (10 verses, no refrains) number, sung by the original Country Gentlemen, written by Don McHan (who also wrote, "The Pill," a hit for Loretta Lynn, "Tell Me Again That You Love Me," and others).
Beautiful cover. Just a tiny pedant issue... The lyrics is, "And down to Box Hill, they did ride." Not down THE box hill. Box Hill is a place a few miles south of London that's popular for thrashing bikes around.
It's funny how people hear things differently. I don't hear it as "the" at all, and I'm pretty sure she knows what the lyric is. I'm embarrassed that I wasn't familiar with this tune until I heard Josh Turner and Carson McKee do their version with guitar and banjo (a fantastic version available on RU-vid for anyone who's never seen it). I thought at first they were singing "I'm 21 years and I might be 22," which I thought was funny. Then I went to the Richard Thompson version (also obviously fantastic) and realized it was originally written as "I might make (not be) 22." Then I went back to Josh and Carson and clearly heard "make," so clearly that I don't know how I ever heard it as "be." (They do sing "Knoxville" rather than "Box Hill" as Del McCoury does. I'm pretty sure they all know what the real lyric is and modified it for a more American audience, which I don't think is necessary.)
Really fantastic job on this! And I see you're playing in Gaithersburg next Sunday! I think I will come to the show, especially since I will be seeing Richard Thompson for the first time 3 days later. And on the strength of this performance I just ordered your CD on Amazon!
she actually misses a lyric 4:06 its " Norton's Indians and B'sers won't do" B'ser a reference to BSA. Which is the motorcycle made by British Service Arms. :)
back in the early 80's my folks got a couple for like 300$ they were really old I got quick ride on one that was a 47 but, unfortunately my stepdad got cancer and my mom had to get rid of everything:(
