I would like to dedicate this song to Amos (whether he wants it or not), for all his generous contributions. Keep it up. With thanks, The Shambles

Going Up The 'Ace' by The Shambles

The Shambles' Comments:  In the late 50s early 60s, The Ace Café on London's North Circular road, was the place to be and be seen, if you were into 'bikes' and 'bikers'.  Nearly all the British made ones like Triumph, Norton BSA and AJS and such like, could be seen but the occasional Harley would receive admiring glances.  The early Japanese machines were looked upon as a passing fad., ah, those were the days.  I used to go there by bus (oh the shame of it). It seemed then to me, that things would always be the same but . . .


Well, you can keep all of your 'fancy' restaurants
Right here, are all of the things that a man could want
Good 'Old Gerry Lee's', never gonna change his tune
And they'll never take away, this 'Greasy Spoon'

Now the night is filled with such a 'Triumphant' noise
Roaring in from Windsor, it's the 'Bonneville' boys
The leather girls, they really don't want to leave those boys alone
They're busy choosing, who is the one who's gonna take them home

I'm going up the 'Ace'
Weaving in the chase
Two up and held in a pillion embrace
I'm going up the 'Ace'
Keeping up the pace
Burning up the road with the wind in my face

See the 'ton-up' vicar, all dressed in PVC
Preaching salvation, says God is reaching out to me
His congregation, they just stand and stare
No need to promise me Heaven, for I'm already there

Hear the juke-box blearing out, 'Leader Of The Pack'
Sandy limps in, and she's still dressed in black
I see her trying to hold back a tear, as she joins the queue
She's there on her own, but she's still orders for two

I'm going up the 'Ace'
Weaving in the chase
Two up and held in a pillion embrace
I'm going up the 'Ace'
Keeping up the pace
Burning up the road with the wind in my face

There's a bike here from each and every part of the land
There's a guy here that's riding one that's even 'made in Japan'
All this 'hot metal' just waiting to explode
Getting ready to 'burn-up' the North Circular Road

Well, you can keep all of your 'fancy' restaurants
Right here, are all of the things that a man could want
Good 'Old Gerry Lee's', never gonna change his tune
And they'll never take away, this 'Greasy Spoon'

I'm going up the 'Ace'
Weaving in the chase
Two up and held in a pillion embrace
I'm going up the 'Ace'
Keeping up the pace
Burning up the road with the wind in my face.

Of course they did take it away -- Roger Gall.