Thinking about the loved ones that were lost 1 year ago in the Shuttle accident and some other thoughts, those lyrics really hit home (lump in throat, eyes welling more than a bit). Reason?
During the song, I started thinking about the Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who passed in that tragic accident. Many here know that Ilan was one of the F-16 pilots that was involved in the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981. The loss of his life, combined with the men and women currently serving our country, battling the same evils, facing danger everyday...I was touched by Mr. Groban's lyrics.
Perhaps I was also ashamed of the behavior of too many of my fellow Americans who don't seek to raise anyone up, save themselves. It is especially painful when I think of the people who don't support our troops, the defense of this country, or even feign some grudging support for our President. I think that during that song, there was a ton of emotion for me.
In addition, the lyrics are very close to a hymn/song that we sing at my church very frequently. I don't know if Mr. Groban is a strictly a secular signer, but the lyrics of that song should be quite meaningful to Christians.
I suppose that that pre-game activites (minus Aerosmith and Willie "Stoner" Nelson...they both sucked), Mr. Groban's song, and the National Anthem contrasted with the halftime makes the halftime show and its ending even more disappointing.