"Riding With Private Malone" by David Ball (Wood Newton/Thom Shepherd)

1st Verse

I was just out of the service, thumbin' thru the classifieds
When an ad that said ol' 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

2nd Verse

It was way back in the corner of this old ramshackle barn
With thirty years of dust and dirt on that green Army tarp
And when I pulled the cover off, it took away my breath
What she called a Chevy was a '66 Corvette

1st Pre-Chorus

And I felt a little guilty as I counted out the bills
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 1966, and this is what he wrote

1st Chorus

He said, 'my name is Private Andrew Malone
And if you're readin' 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
Though you may take her and make her your own
You'll always be riding with Private Malone'

3rd Verse

Well, it didn't take me long at all, I had her runnin' good
I loved to hear those horses thunder underneath her hood
I had her shinin' like a diamond, and I'd put the ragtop down
All the pretty girls would stop and stare as I drove her through town

2nd Pre-Chorus

The buttons on the radio didn't seem to work quite right
But it picked up that Oldies show, especially late at night
I'd get the feelin' sometimes if I turned real quick, I'd see
A soldier ridin' shotgun in the seat right next to me

2nd Chorus

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
And he told me to take her and make her my own
And I was proud to be riding with Private Malone

3rd Pre-Chorus

But one night it was raining hard, I took the curve too fast
I still don't remember much about that fiery crash
But someone said they thought they saw a soldier pull me out
They didn't get his name, but I know without a doubt

3rd Chorus

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
And I know I wouldn't be here if he hadn't tagged along
Yeah, that night I was riding with Private Malone
Oh, thank God I was riding with Private Malone
Private Malone

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