Robert Burns wrote the words of “Auld Lang Syne,” the song commonly sung on New Year’s Eve.
Burns recorded a version of the Scottish song and sent it to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788. The phrase “auld lang syne” means roughly “old long since” or “for old times’ sake,” giving the song its theme of remembering enduring friendship.
The melody and wording have changed through transmission, and Burns drew on older Scottish material rather than inventing every element from nothing. Its association with New Year’s celebrations became especially strong as the song spread through Scotland, Britain, North America, and other English-speaking regions.
Many people know only the first line and chorus, and performances often vary in verses and melody. The song is not exclusively a New Year anthem: it can also mark farewells, reunions, memorials, and other transitions.