Ridin' With Private Malone Lyrics - David Ball

I was just out of the service thumbing through the classifieds 

When an ad that said:"Old Chevy" somehow caught my eye 

The lady didn't know the year,or even if it ran 

But I had that thousand dollars in my hand 

It was way back in the corner of this old ramshackle barn 

Thirty years of dust and dirt on that green army tarp 

When I pulled the cover off,it took away my breath 

What she called a Chevy was a sixty six Corvette 

I felt a little guilty as I counted out the bills 

But what a thrill I got when I sat behind the wheel 

I opened up the glove box and that's when I found the note 

The date was nineteen-sixty six and this is what it wrote: 

He said,"My name is Private Andrew Malone" 

"If you're reading this,then I didn't make it home" 

"But for every dream that shattered,another one comes true" 

"This car was once a dream of mine,now it belongs to you" 

"And though you may take her and make her your own" 

"You'll always be riding with Private Malone" 

Well it didn't take me long at all,I had her running good 

I love to hear those horses thunder underneath her hood 

I had her shining lika a diamond and I'd put the rag top down 

All the pretty girls would stop and stare as I drove her through town 

The buttons on the radio didn't seem to work quite right 

But it picked up that oldie show,especially late at night 

I'd get the feeling sometimes,if I turned real quick I'd see 

A soldier riding shotgun in the seat right next to me 

It was a young man named Private Andrew Malone 

Who fought for his country and never made it home 

But for every dream that's shattered,another one comes true 

This car was once a dream of his,back when it was new 

He told me to take her and make her my own 

And I was proud to be riding with Private Malone 

One night it was raining hard,I took the curve too fast 

I still dont remember much about that fiery crash 

Someone said they thought they saw a soldier pull me out 

They didn't get his name, but I know without a doubt 

It was a young man named Private Andrew Malone 

Who fought for his country and never made it home 

But for every dream that's shattered,another one comes true 

This car was once a dream of his,back when it was new 

I know I wouldn't be here if he hadn't tagged along 

That night I was riding with Private Malone 

Oh,thank God,I was riding with Private Malone