Reckless Kelly - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

      1952 Vincent Black Lightning
By: Reckless Kelly
Written By: Richard Thompson


Capo on the 3rd fret


G                                          C
Said Red Molly to James that's a fine motorbike,
C                                     G
A girl could feel special on any such like
G                                             C
Said James to Red Molly, well my hat's off to you
C                                  G
It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952
G        D                           C        G
And I've seen you at the corners and cafes it seems
D                              C                G
Red hair and black leather, my favourite colour scheme
G      Am        Am/B  C
And he pulled her on behind 
C                            G
And down to Boxhill they did ride


G                                                     C
Said James to Red Molly, here's a ring for your right hand
C                                            G
But I'll tell you in earnest I'm a dangerous man
G                                         C
I've fought with the law since I was seventeen
C                                       G
I robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine
G       D                 C         G
Now I'm 21 years, I might not make 22
D                            C              G
And I don't mind dying, but for the love of you
G      Am          Am/B     C
And If fate should break my stride
C                           G
I'll give you my Vincent to ride


G                                                   C
Come down, come down, Red Molly, called Sergeant MacRae
C                                            G
For they've taken young James for armed robbery
G                                           C
Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside
C                                    G
Come down, Red Molly to his dying bedside
G        D                     C                 G
When she came to the hospital, there wasn't much left
D                                  C              G
He was running out of road, he was running out of breath
G      Am        Am/B    C
But he smiled to see her cry
     C                           G
Said I'll give you my Vincent to ride


G                                                        C
Said young James. in my opinion, there's nothing in this world
C                                   G
Beats a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl
G                                         C
Now Nortons and Indians and Greeves won't do
C                                      G
They don't have a soul like a Vincent 52
G          D                   C            G
He reached for her hand and he gave her the keys
D                           C            G
He said I don't have any further use for these
D                          C           G
I see angels and ariels in leather and chrome
D                            C        G
Swooping down from heaven to carry me home
G       Am           Am/B     C
He gave her one last kiss and died
C                              G
And he gave her his Vincent to ride