[Verse] Well Johnson Van Dyke Grigsby was paroled in ’89 He never walked on a carpet never tasted dinner wine His old eyes were slowly fadin’ as he walked out of the gate And he breathed the first free air he’d breathed since 19-0-8 [Chorus] Howdy do Michigan City you’re sure pretty sight But I know there’s bigger cities and more excitin’ nights But I think your girls’re pretty and I love your children too Michigan City Indiana howdy do Michigan City Indiana howdy do Michigan City Indiana howdy do [Verse] Filled with the joy of freedom he didn’t know that he was old Cause time don’t really matter when it’s bubblin’ in your soul Well I don’t think he was bitter cause he sure had a smile And down the streets of Michigan City he walked his first free miles [Chorus] Howdy do Michigan City you’re sure pretty sight But I know there’s bigger cities and more excitin’ nights But I think your girls’re pretty and I love your children too Michigan City Indiana howdy do Michigan City Indiana howdy do Michigan City Indiana howdy do