Staind's Aaron Lewis Apologizes After National Anthem Flub
Staind's Aaron Lewis was kicking off Game 5 of the World Series
— -- Rocker Aaron Lewis is asking “for the nation’s forgiveness” after flubbing the lyrics to the national anthem at Sunday’s World Series game in San Francisco.
Lewis, of the rock band Staind, took the field at AT&T Park to kick off Game 5 of the series between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals.
After starting “The Star-Spangled Banner” smoothly, Lewis flubbed the line, “at the twilight’s last gleaming,” singing instead, “were so gallantly streaming,” words that appear later on in the song.
Just hours later, Lewis posted an apology on his official website.
“All I can say is I'm sorry and ask for the Nation's forgiveness. My nerves got the best of me and I am completely torn up about what happened. America is the greatest country in the world,” he wrote.
“'The Star-Spangled Banner' means so much to so many, including myself. I hope everyone can understand the intensity of the situation and my true intent of this performance. I hope that the Nation, Major League Baseball and the many fans of our national pastime can forgive me.”
Lewis’s flub carried extra weight because Lewis slammed pop star Christina Aguilera when she messed up singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl just three years ago.
“If there is a single song in the history of this country that deserves no creative interpretation it is that one,” Lewis said in 2011.
The Giants went on to win the game, 5-0. They now lead the series 3-2.