Thompson, Richard - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning Lyrics

The Del McCoury Band did this again. But Red Molly and James rode to Knoxville. It works as well in Tennessee.

There's a Central Florida musician named Bryan Smalley that does a fine version of this.
I think there is a tradition of doing this song a bit different every time it's played.

I needed this in my life.

Were have I been living??? Il keep looking. Wow

". . . and if Fate should break my stride . . ."
What a lyric!

I encountered this song 2 weeks ago via the Sean Rowe version. It is a simply perfect song. As a hack songwriter I know something is good when pangs of jealousy creep over me when I hear the underlying poetry that I will now never be able to write myself...there are 2 line in particular that stand out..."if fate should break my stride...' and.... 'he was running out of road, he was running out of breath'. You don't have to write 2 songs of this quality to be considered great.

You're probably a better poet than you think. But I understand the jealousy.


I discovered Sean Rowe after watching The Accountant. Trying to Leave Something Behind plays as the credits roll. I love this version: https://youtu.be/cje2e5P8dVk

Knoxvillians ride Harleys today.

The guitar playing is excellent, the lyrics are ridiculous, not unlike syrupy, morbid 60's American pop music. The VINCENT deserves more respect.

There's a point during the solo when Suzanna Vega's face seems to say "Now you're just taking the TOTAL piss"! :D

Musical storytelling at its best.

I can’t count how many times I’ve listened to this song. I love everything about it from the lyrics to Richard’s amazing guitar playing. I find myself drawn back to his version many times over the years.👍👍

The devil himself wants to meet Richard at the crossroads at midnight to get some pointers & catch up lessons.. His guitar playing has gotten a little rusty. Holy fuck!! ;) Masterful. If I could even dream of playing guitar like that I would have wet dreams! Lol. Time to put a wash on & clean the sheets.... ;)

I hate to break it down, but Sean Rowe ripped this off a bit more

I love Sean Rowe and his version is brilliant. RT still my fave

Pure beauty :) Love it!

SO SO UNDER RATED THIS MAN IS

This song description of the bike is a gem the best

Excellent.

I just love this. I ride a ‘52 Vincent. A very lucky man indeed.

after hearing Sean Rowe perform his cover of this song, the original just sounds like a tame and censored child's rendition... thanks to Richard for writing it, but Sean now owns the definitive version, so much more powerful and evocative

I keep coming back and listening to this song, I love the story the tune and Richard’s amazing skill on the guitar. All three are amazing artists.

Man there just aren't enough words....

Sheesh, Richard sure is one tough act to follow.

Best version

Is it just me or did george thorogood steal a line from this song?!

I was privileged enough to be schooled in the building where this bike was made. The Maltings. Alleynes School Stevenage.

Jesus ... Talk about knocking it out of the park. A perfect performance.

Charming, Smart. Great singer. Great songwriter. Most excellent guitarist.

To my dad xxx

Great music.

I sometimes conjecture how a particular song came to be written. In this case I envision Richard Thompson meeting a fellow with a Vincent Black Lightning and asking if he (Richard) could ride it, and being told "sorry, over my dead body". And a song was born.

Fucking English crap can't sing to save his life but a major influence and I am sure a good man. We need a Welsh equivalent. Just my opinion on this legend. Sing us a Welsh song why don't you. Ha Ha!~

I have to listen to this song every now and then to hear Richard Thompson’s voice and amazing guitar playing on this wonderfully written song. It never ceases to please my soul. Thank you Richard.👍👍

All the other musicians on stage are in awe because they know they will never be able to play a guitar like that.

I hitched a ride to Boston on the back of a Vincent Black Shadow (not a bike built for two)....had leathers, but should have had a kidney belt

Every now and then I attempt to learn this, but that thumb picked rhythm just might be something you are born able to do or not.
Nearly two decades playing guitar and it eludes me.

I'm in the same boat.

I could listen to this song over and over again! Thanks Richard for your brilliance 😎

It kinda looks like Malostranska beseda, but it's probably not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFM87MLc4Oo MOVING LOVE SONG

This is insanely brilliant.

One of my favorite songs..

And who’s going to follow that masterpiece on stage exactly? ;)

Nothing against Ms. Vega and Mr. Wainwright, but I would hate to have to follow this.

nice beret better than rap

Many memories..... Beautiful.

Anybody know why he wears a beret? Is it just a style thing or does he have military background

It's because he's a Sufi Muslim so he keeps his head covered.

My late husband used to holler it didn't have a key. However we both loved the song

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!

At first I'm thinkin its a bold move to add a lyric to this incredible song but my hat's off to you ! it brought a fine ending to the tale and I bet Mr Thompson might even approve. Well done ! I am adding it to my cover of this classic .

Good lyric. Have a degree in music who cares my opinion to.

I hope folks will post updates if the new verse is performed. And Julie Biddle! I hope you’re writing other lyrics.

Julie Biddle
Holy




Fuck
That’s good

I love your verse- I have NO talent, I live for music but can't play or sing, if you love Richard Thompson (who doesn't) check out Sean Rowe's version- amazing, ENERGY- namaste, zoe. I had never seen one of these, not into bikes but I just googled one- one sold for nearly 1 million a few years back- what a machine. Always loved the Indian? bike- but these....

amazing especially if you are a motorcycle fan.

Did I just witness some of the craziest guitar playing I ever heard

So damn good. And watching the lively Suzanne watch Richard is a nice treat.

Caution, genius at work.

I've seen Richard perform live perhaps a dozen times. I enjoy this song enormously. He's never played it the same way twice. For many, every show I go to of his, it will be their first time ever seeing him, and the first time they've ever heard this song. I enjoy their response as much as I like the performance.

Is it possible to play the guitar like this? That is what the looks on the faces of the other folk on stage say to me.

Bloody fabulous rendition, the best I've heard and crystal clear. Vintage Richard T.

Brilliant!

This I s such a magic performance, the lighting, the acoustics, and of course the song...man the song

Love the look on vega and wainrights faces as they realize they are out of their league

And that, girls and boys, is when if you're one of the other two in the presence of this man, you put your guitar down, give him is ovation, and walk off the stage. Game, set and fuckin' match.

i am of the opinion that this man can play a guitar.

If ever had the good fortune ever to come into a large amount of money Vincent would live again , if in 1952 they could reach a 120 + miles miles per hour, what could they reach with a modern gearbox ,fuel injection ,turbo etc . Ok it may be an old mans dream ,but then just one day ,maybe one day miracles can happen

Its that arlo guthry song again hahahahaha

Not only a great song melody and lyric the guitar playing is superb. I wouldn't want to be Suzanne Vega and Loudon Wainwright sitting there listening. How can you follow that?

I just feel sorry for the other two when he starts playing guitar

I named our dog Vincent Black Lightning. This song gets me every time, reminding me of the the good times with that mut. Much apriciated.

There are some decent covers, but ......!!!!!!!!!! Simply fantastic.

Music and YouTube is all I’ve got, what keeps me going...and this wonderful gem is one of those that I have to recharge with sometimes everyday, sometimes maybe weeks but always back. Shopping, porn, trivia all the rest, this is what the internet does for me...

so perfect...so perfect it makes my teeth hurt

Him & Tony Rice Rye Cuder etc

Goosebumps.

Del Mccoury does this song the best

Damn. This is good

I saw Richard opening for Crowded house. I still don’t know why he was the opener but he blew me away. Too bad no one knew who he was. I felt like he was playing to me.

One of the last times I saw my ex-husband (with whom I parted on friendly terms over a decade ago) was when I invited him and his girlfriend to see RT play live a few years ago. When he ended the show with this song, I glanced over at my ex and saw him literally wiping tears from his eyes.


Fast forward to last weekend - my ex, only 68 and apparently in excellent health - had a heart attack and died two days later with his girlfriend, me, and the rest of his family at his bedside in the hospital.


We will be playing this song at his memorial. Rest in peace, Lenny.

The reactions of the two on stage is telling. They are in awe of what they're seeing. Personally, I'd be terrified at having to follow that, but they just look honoured to be there. Loudon especially, is just breathing it in, whilst Vega is learning every little thing that she can. A masterful performance.

thompson born to sing this wildernessroad dot net

one of my all time favorite singer, songwriter and guitarist. he drips with passion.

Prefer Del McCourey's version

Me. ..I'm from..Tenn.

What a great voice as well

I love this song

This song has migrated into bluegrass music and become something of a standard. Thanks for sharing the original version.

Phenomenal Classic Richard Thompson. The guitar player's guitar player.

I raced ..ttumps..bsa..norton..about ..100.?years ago..mile..laid on the ..tank..100 mph..throgh..the straight.

My pref..was the Norton.

When he growls.....rrrrrrrride 👍

192 people have no idea about good music at all. (I could have used harsher words, but wouldn't)

Happy 70th birthday 🇬🇧

No one can compete! Mic drop, hand over the trophy!!

Man, can you imagine having to follow this.

That Song hits me every time i hear it. And there is no better Version than the original by Richard Thompson!
No Sean Rowe, Mc Coury and Reckless Kelly won't do, they don't have the soul like a Vincent 52 :)

Stunning, as expected.

Brings tears to my eyes. I've never owned a Vincent but I once had an old Triumph and I get the emotional connection. In fact, my Dad's dream machines were "Vincent/HRD" and Brough Superior. Although he never owned either of them, he had an Ariel and he's been with the angels since 1974. (WIpes eyes and scolds self for being so soft). An amazing song.

There is nothing like ..a brit..bike..they do have ..soul.

They certainly do, usually full of mischief!

Ther..pickey..they only ..start..when ..there in..the mood..

Sue looks awestruck, and rightly so.

Suzanne must be sliding all over that chair lol. But what a song,lyrics,singing,emotion,technique. Got it all

A beezer is a BSA, probably a 650. He's probably singing about a Norton 850 Commando which I've ridden many times. The Triumph 750 is close to having a soul. But a Vincent Black Lightning or better still a Black Shadow really do have souls if you can find one. But they didn't require keys. Still the best biker song of all time period, And I'm supposed to be a classical music specialist!

I own a 79..bonnie..full.race config..thrown me down..more than.once.

Leo Kottke seems to be enjoying this tune.....

How have I not heard this amazing song before today?

Excellent by both the chording and lyrics. A true artist! Pax always

Suzanne sliding all over that chair,surprised she held on.

Another brilliant performance at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e46-6fw8KRY
Check it out.

Poor Suzanne and Loudon, sitting there thinking "Now how the hell do I follow THAT?"

Lyrics,guitar,story, technique,voice,passion, Suzanne and Mr Wainwright looking on with amazement. Perfection

the way he says and he puller around behind gives me goosebumps everytim