Songs about the British Motor Industry

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:24 PM

VINCENT BLACK LIGHTNING

Oh says Red Molly to James "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 at the corners and cafes it seems
Red hair and black leather, my favourite colour scheme"
And he pulled her on behind and down to Boxhill they did ride

Oh 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 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
He 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 Greeves won't do,
Ah, they don't have a soul like a Vincent 52"
Oh he reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys
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.

- Richard Thompson
- two letter words, © 1996 Richard Thompson

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:17 PM

Spencer the Rover - or Doug Hudson's parody Spencer the Peugeot.

I'm sure there's an Irish song called something like "Clancy's motor car".

Cliton Ford had a small hit with a song called "Get out and get under", about a car going wrong.

Then there's "Grey Cortina" (Tom Robinson).

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:13 PM

Does the song have to be (1)a folksong (2) about making a car, or can it just be any old song that mentions cars?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:11 PM

"One piece at a time" Johnny Cash.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 01:58 PM

what would be interesting would be songs about Henry Fords virulent anti unionism.I know ford was American,but they were making cars for a long time in England .

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 12:42 PM

MGB GT

Tom Bliss does a song about the rolls royce mascot

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust
From: artbrooks
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 12:15 PM

Not about manufacturing cars, per se, but there's always The Bug-Eyed Sprite.

...In a bug-eyed Sprite
There's lot's to do.
But there just ain't enough
Room to screw.

Sorry...I'll leave now.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Indust
From: Chris Green
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:53 AM

What about 'Fiesta' by the Pogues? Or 'Anything You Kangoo, I Kangoo Better?'









I'll get me coat....

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: The PA
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:50 AM

STOP IT NOW !!!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: skipy
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:49 AM

Don't know about songs, but there are a lot os MORRIS tunes about!
Skipy

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: The PA
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:31 AM

Yeh, I was going to say anyone mentions Wild Rover, and we're comin after em !!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: beardedbruce
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:18 AM

I'm a Rover" ?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: The PA
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:16 AM

Me other half worked at Longbridge for 40 years from an apprentice till it closed - now he can tell some tails !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps you songwriters out there could venture up to the wild and dangerous Midlands and do a bit of researching. We dont bite .... well not much!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:04 AM

I'm a bit rusty.

Subject: Folklore: Songs about the British Motor Industry
From: mumblin len
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:34 AM

While reading a book about industrial folksongs recently, I noticed that, although there were lots of songs about coalmining, cotton weaving, and fishing, there did not seem to be any songs about making motor cars. Does anybody out there know any? I figure that, since the motor industry was once one of the biggest employers in this country, there ought to be some - or did car workers not sing?
Any thoughts chaps (and chappesses)?

len