Luke Bryan, the country music singer who performed the National Anthem at the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, took to Twitter to issue an apology for writing down “a few keys [sic] words” to the national anthem on his hand

Bryan’s entire Twitter-based apology and video of his performance follows.

Here is how Bryan went about his apology for taking a page from how a nervous, under-prepared 6th grade student scrambles while preparing for his US state capitals test in geography class:

Morning everyone. I really wanna explain the national anthem performance from last night.

— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) July 11, 2012

I had a few keys words written down to insure myself that I wouldn’t mess up. I just wanted to do my best. I promise it was from the heart.

— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) July 11, 2012

If I offended anyone with my approach I sincerely apologize. Anytime I sing the anthem it is an honor and my heart beats out of my chest.

— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) July 11, 2012

Being a part of the all star game was amazing and I look forward to the next time I can perform the anthem. Thanks y’all. Love ya

— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) July 11, 2012

Fair enough. Bryan also provided a reason for why he checked his watch:

I did check my watch because I knew the stealth bomber would fly over 2 minutes in and I knew a started a little late.

— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) July 11, 2012

While I am sure many people on the internet are prepared to tar and feather Bryan for making crib notes on his hand in advance of his performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” would these same people rather have a singer do a competent job at performing the song with some lyrics written on their hand or have a singer completely botch an anthem performance without notes? We don’t have to look too far back to find completely atrocious national anthem performances that may have benefited from some crafty cheating on the singer’s part. Well, assuming Christina Aguilera knows how to read, that is.

Food for thought.