Riding With Private Malone

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 
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'd called a Chevy was a sixty-six Corvette 

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 nineteen sixty-six and this is what he wrote 

He said, "My name is Private Andrew Malone 
And 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
And he told me to take her and make her my own
And I was proud to be riding with Private Malone

Well, 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
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