Aaron Lewis apologizes for botching national anthem at World Series

Aaron Lewis is asking "for the nation's forgiveness" after a national anthem performance gone bad.

The country music artist, who is also known as the lead singer of the metal band Staind, stumbled over many of the lines to "The Star-Spangled Banner" Sunday night at San Francisco's AT&T Park, before Game 5 of the 2014 World Series between the Giants and the Kansas City Royals (the Giants won, 5-0).

Lewis quickly became an online trending topic while coming under fire on social media following the performance. Naysayers pointed out that Lewis often discusses his stances as a conservative Republican and brands himself as a "patriot" on his Twitter page.

"All I can say is I'm sorry and ask for the nation's forgiveness," Lewis wrote on his official website Sunday night. "My nerves got the best of me and I am completely torn up about what happened. America is the greatest country in the world. 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 isn't the first entertainer to come under scrutiny while belting out the Francis Scott Key composition. In 1990, Roseanne Barr faced backlash for delivering an off-key rendition before a San Diego Padres game. In January 2013, Beyonce admitted to lip-synching the tune during President Obama's inauguration ceremony for his second term.

At a 2011 concert in Westbury, New York, Lewis publicly criticized singers Christian Aguilera and Cyndi Lauper for their difficulties remembering the song's lines, the very same lyrics which he himself would later go on to botch during Sunday's game.