Experience the gritty struggles of military life in Jason Aldean's powerful country anthem, 'Stuck Down at the Citadel.' This song captures the longing for freedom and the fun times with friends while stationed away from home. With vivid imagery of backroads, hunting, and camaraderie, this track resonates with anyone who has felt the weight of confinement while dreaming of adventure.
[Intro]
G | D | Em | C
G | D | C
[Verse 1]
G D
It’s Halloween night in Charleston town,
Em C
Boots on the floor, and the rain’s comin’ down,
G D
Got rifles stacked, the gates all locked,
Em C
While them Carolina girls are dancin’ ‘round the block.
G D
My truck’s back home and my dog’s got the blind,
Em C
Mallards flyin’ and I’m losin’ my mind,
G D
All my buddies textin’, “Boy, you should be here,”
Em C
But I’m stuck in the barracks drinkin’ nothin’ but tears.
[Chorus]
G D
‘Cause it’s hell at the Citadel,
Em C
Wish I was down in Cola raisin’ hell,
G D
Duck calls blowin’, cold cans crackin’,
Em C
Bonfires burnin’, country boys laughin’.
G D
But I’m marchin’ in line, can’t even yell,
Em C G
Yeah, fuck the Citadel.
[Verse 2]
G D
The sergeant’s barkin’ while the moonlight’s bright,
Em C
Ain’t no trick or treat, just another long night,
G D
We polish brass while the girls get wild,
Em C
Dreamin’ ‘bout freedom like a backroad child.
G D
Got a camo hat and a jealous heart,
Em C
Wish I could roll out and make a new start,
G D
But the gate’s locked tight and the rules don’t bend,
Em C
Guess I’ll write this song ‘til the weekend ends.
[Chorus]
G D
‘Cause it’s hell at the Citadel,
Em C
Wish I was down in Cola raisin’ hell,
G D
Duck calls blowin’, cold cans crackin’,
Em C
Bonfires burnin’, country boys laughin’.
G D
But I’m marchin’ in line, can’t even yell,
Em C G
Yeah, fuck the Citadel.
[Bridge]
Em C
One day I’ll trade these blues and greys,
G D
For a pickup truck and a backroad haze,
Em C
And when that first mallard hits the sky,
G D C
I’ll raise my beer and kiss this place goodbye.
[Final Chorus]
G D
‘Cause it’s hell at the Citadel,
Em C
While USC girls look fine as hell,
G D
We’re just country boys, stuck in cells,
Em C
Dreamin’ of huntin’ and raisin’ hell.
G D
Till the day I’m gone, you can sure as well tell,
Em C G
Yeah… fuck the Citadel.
[Outro – optional instrumental jam]
G | D | Em | C
G | D | C | G
(Let it ring — end on G with a slide)
Chords not available
Beat not available
🎸 “Stuck Down at the Citadel”
[Intro]
G | D | Em | C
G | D | C
(Slow, gritty strum — 2 down strums per beat)
[Verse 1]
G D
It’s Halloween night in Charleston town,
Em C
Boots on the floor, and the rain’s comin’ down,
G D
Got rifles stacked, the gates all locked,
Em C
While them Carolina girls are dancin’ ‘round the block.
G D
My truck’s back home and my dog’s got the blind,
Em C
Mallards flyin’ and I’m losin’ my mind,
G D
All my buddies textin’, “Boy, you should be here,”
Em C
But I’m stuck in the barracks drinkin’ nothin’ but tears.
[Chorus]
G D
‘Cause it’s hell at the Citadel,
Em C
Wish I was down in Cola raisin’ hell,
G D
Duck calls blowin’, cold cans crackin’,
Em C
Bonfires burnin’, country boys laughin’.
G D
But I’m marchin’ in line, can’t even yell,
Em C G
Yeah, fuck the Citadel.
[Verse 2]
G D
The sergeant’s barkin’ while the moonlight’s bright,
Em C
Ain’t no trick or treat, just another long night,
G D
We polish brass while the girls get wild,
Em C
Dreamin’ ‘bout freedom like a backroad child.
G D
Got a camo hat and a jealous heart,
Em C
Wish I could roll out and make a new start,
G D
But the gate’s locked tight and the rules don’t bend,
Em C
Guess I’ll write this song ‘til the weekend ends.
[Chorus]
G D
‘Cause it’s hell at the Citadel,
Em C
Wish I was down in Cola raisin’ hell,
G D
Duck calls blowin’, cold cans crackin’,
Em C
Bonfires burnin’, country boys laughin’.
G D
But I’m marchin’ in line, can’t even yell,
Em C G
Yeah, fuck the Citadel.
[Bridge]
Em C
One day I’ll trade these blues and greys,
G D
For a pickup truck and a backroad haze,
Em C
And when that first mallard hits the sky,
G D C
I’ll raise my beer and kiss this place goodbye.
[Final Chorus]
G D
‘Cause it’s hell at the Citadel,
Em C
While USC girls look fine as hell,
G D
We’re just country boys, stuck in cells,
Em C
Dreamin’ of huntin’ and raisin’ hell.
G D
Till the day I’m gone, you can sure as well tell,
Em C G
Yeah… fuck the Citadel.
[Outro – optional instrumental jam]
G | D | Em | C
G | D | C | G
(Let it ring — end on G with a slide)
Jason aldean