~Ridin' With Private Malone~ 

I was just out of the service thumbing through the classifieds 
When an ad that said 'old Chevy' some how 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 
With thirty years of dust and dirt on that green army tarp 
When I pulled the cover off it took away my breath 
What she'd 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 he 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's 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 like 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 don't 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. 

Oh! Thank God I was riding with Private Malone!