In the song “Auld Lang Syne,” the Scottish poet most closely associated with the familiar lyrics is Robert Burns.
Burns wrote down and adapted words connected with older Scottish oral tradition in 1788. The title means “old long since,” or more naturally, “for old times’ sake.” The song asks whether old friendships and memories should be forgotten, then celebrates shared remembrance through raised cups and clasped hands.
Its melody was paired with the words in the form widely used today during the 18th and 19th centuries. The song became especially associated with New Year’s Eve in English-speaking countries, although it is also used at farewells, memorials, graduations, and other transitions. Burns is sometimes credited as the sole creator, but the text draws on earlier traditional material; his importance lies in preserving and reshaping the version that became internationally famous.