I was just out of the service, thumbin' 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
For what she called a Chevy was a '66 Corvette
And 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 glovebox, and that's when I found the note
The date was 1966, and this is what he wrote:
Chorus 1:
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 runnin' good
I loved to hear those horses thunder underneath their 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
The buttons on the radio didn't seem to work quite right
But it picked up that oldies show, espec'ly late at night
I'd get the feeling sometimes if I turned real quick I'd see
A soldier ridin' shotgun in the seat right next to me
Chorus 2:
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
Bridge:
Well one night it was raining hard, I took the curve too fast
And I still don't remember much about that firey 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
Chorus 3:
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
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