Lyrics

fasterdammit · Post by **fasterdammit** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 3:45 am

I had to share this bit, because I've always loved this tune musically and for its lyrical content. It doesn't specify motorcycles in particular, but it lends itself all the same. It always moves me & leaves me daydreaming for that 'mechanical music' ...

"Red Barchetta", by Rush, from Moving Pictures circa 1981:

My uncle has a country place
That no one knows about
He says it used to be a farm
Before the Motor Law
And on Sundays I elude the eyes
And hop the Turbine Freight
To far outside the Wire
Where my white-haired uncle waits

Jump to the ground
As the Turbo slows to cross the borderline
Run like the wind
As excitement shivers up and down my spine
Down in his barn
My uncle preserved for me an old machine
For fifty odd years
To keep it as new has been his dearest dream

I strip away the old debris
That hides a shining car
A brilliant red Barchetta
From a better vanished time
I fire up the willing engine
Responding with a roar
Tires spitting gravel
I commit my weekly crime

Wind
In my hair
Shifting and drifting
Mechanical music
Adrenaline surge...

Well-weathered leather
Hot metal and oil
The scented country air
Sunlight on chrome
The blur of the landscape
Every nerve aware

Suddenly ahead of me
Across the mountainside
A gleaming alloy air car
Shoots towards me, two lanes wide
I spin around with shrieking tires
To run the deadly race
Go screaming through the valley
As another joins the chase

Drive like the wind
Straining the limits of machine and man
Laughing out loud with fear and hope
I've got a desperate plan
At the one-lane bridge
I leave the giants stranded at the riverside
Race back to the farm
To dream with my uncle at the fireside

(A must-listen if you haven't heard it!)

redpaso · Post by **redpaso** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 3:55 am

Hey faster that was excellant, I will seek out & have a listen. Reading the lyrics I was there, think my hair is even messed up.

Here is the Lyrics to my favourite song. I love a song that tells a story & this one is just like a movie in my head every time i listen to it.

'52 Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson

Said Red Molly to James that's a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said James to Red Molly, well 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 favorite color scheme
And he pulled her on behind
And down to Boxhill they did ride

Said James to Red Molly, here's a ring for your right hand
But I'll tell you in earnest I'm a dangerous man
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
And 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 Greeveses won't do
They don't have a soul like a Vincent 52
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
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

Post by **Skins** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:50 am

Oh bluddy great stuff. Thank you boys. Hell that was good.

Cuz, yours deserves to stand alone, as a Topic, but it doesn't matter, because it goes so well with fasters.

Thank you, boys, thank you. There's bluddy tears in me eyes.

fasterdammit · Post by **fasterdammit** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:41 pm

Red - that's excellent! I'll have to search that one down myself!

redpaso · Post by **redpaso** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 2:18 am

Faster, Glad you liked it mate, It was on Richard thompsons Rumour & Sigh album from 1991. If you are into some awesome guitar playing Aussie JEFF LANG does a fantastic version on his album "Disturbed Folk Volume 2" released in1999. I reckon you should seek & listen to both because it is the best song ever

Skins, it is always a beautiful thing to see a grown man cry, glad we could do this for you & get back to the true "Apex"