This track comes from Aaron's military service — Air Force enlisted, Army Infantry officer, DoD civilian at SPAWAR/NIWC. It tackles The bond between sailors, the friendships forged at sea that last a lifetime, missing shipmates. The lyrics get specific — "We were kids from everywhere, Alabama to Maine" — because personal tracks on Majik's are personal for real, not performatively. The Americana production matches the energy of the confession. It hits emotional and grateful, in that order. Every personal track in the catalogue comes from a real moment, a real feeling, a real person. This one is no exception.
[verse 1]
We were kids from everywhere, Alabama to Maine
Different colors, different stories, but we served the same
Sharing bunks in quarters tight enough to hear each dream
Brothers on the water, strongest bond you've ever seen
Jones would sing off-key at midnight just to make us laugh
Martinez had a daughter he carried in a photograph
Stransky was the quiet one who watched and learned it all
Promised every brother I would answer if they call
[chorus]
Brothers on the water, we were forged at sea
Nothing breaks a bond like that, take it straight from me
Brothers on the water, scattered with the wind
But every time we meet again, it's like we never left, my friend
[verse 2]
Now I'm coding on the coast, a different kind of crew
But I keep that brotherhood in everything I do
Magic Unicorn was built on Navy values deep
Integrity and honor, promises I keep
Some of them got out and some are still deployed
Some are dealing with the things they can't avoid
A-A-Ron checks in on every single one
Because a brother's work is never done
[chorus]
Brothers on the water, we were forged at sea
Nothing breaks a bond like that, take it straight from me
Brothers on the water, scattered with the wind
But every time we meet again, it's like we never left, my friend
[bridge]
Raise a glass to everyone who stood the watch
To every sleepless night we spent on that ship's top notch
Civilian life can't replicate that kind of trust
But I carry every one of you, that's not just talk, it's a must
[chorus]
Brothers on the water, we were forged at sea
Nothing breaks a bond like that, take it straight from me
Brothers on the water, scattered with the wind
But every time we meet again, it's like we never left, my friend
[outro]
Fair winds and following seas
To every one of you