Riding with Private Malone
David Ball


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
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 Pvt. 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 Pvt. 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 Pvt. 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 Pvt. 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 Pvt. 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 Pvt. Malone
Oh thank God I was riding with Pvt. Malone