Has anyone heard the new country song by David Ball?

We have all heard the story before:
A young man in the 60's buys a new Corvette, then gets drafted, goes to Vietnam where sadly he is killed, and the car sits for 30 years because the family can bear to sell 'his' car. Well this song that tells this exact story and it is getting lots of airplay on the country stations due in part it's patriotic theme and the fact that it's a pretty good song, and it's one more song that talks about a Corvette.


'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.

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 '66 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 1966, and this is what he wrote:


(chorus)

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.


(chorus)

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.

(chorus)

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.

 

I heard it awhile back and liked it ever since the first time I heard it. It's a good tune, along with good lyrics.

 

Vette magazine Jan. 2002 has the story of a 67 Vette bought by Charlie Snyder. He went to Nam and was killed. Car sat for 30 yrs.until uncovered and sold. Sounds a lot like this song.

 

Well I'll be ding, and dang, and dong!
It's the urban legend, put to song!! :)

MJ

 

You mean this car, don't you. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=174240


[Modified by 67HEAVEN, 8:03 PM 11/18/2001]

 

There's a nice article about it in the November issue of the NCM magazine "America's Sports Car". The car used in the video is owned by a Vietnam Vet.

 

Oh yeah, makes my wife cry :sad:

 

Very cool song. My wife and I love it. Makes you proud to be an American, and a Vette owner and lover.

By the way, long time no see Allan.

 

How funny. My partner Keith (Vettfinders.com) was interviewed by a country station up in NY last week about this song. They asked him (among other things) if Private Malone ripped off the old lady. :D