'Twilight's...First Gleaming?': Watch Canadian Butcher 'Star-Spangled Banner' and Bravely Plow Ahead, Making Up Words

Sometimes they start crying. Sometimes they dart from the spotlight in embarrassment. (Of course, if you're Roseanne, you spit in glorious defiance.)

Messing up our National Anthem  is a singer's worst nightmare.

But when Alexis Normand of Canada began forgetting the words to the "Star-Spangled Banner" before the 2013 Memorial Cup game between the Portland Winterhawks and the Halifax Mooseheads yesterday, your heart had to go out.

(Credit: YouTube)

Many Americans forget their own country's national anthem in a pinch; she's Canadian, so she gets a bit of a pass.

(Credit: YouTube)

But instead of wimping out in the face of thousands of singing critics in the stands, Normand soldiered on, keeping the melody, and making up words just to get through the ordeal.

(Credit: YouTube)

And by the end, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, crowd  is clearly behind her valiant effort.

(Credit: YouTube)

Check out the heart-tugging hilarity below:

Featured image credit: YouTube

(H/T: Deadspin)