What 19th-century Scottish song is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year's Eve?

The traditional midnight song for New Year’s Eve is “Auld Lang Syne.”

The song is based on a Scots poem written down and expanded by Robert Burns in 1788. Its title means “old long since,” commonly understood as “for old times’ sake.” The lyrics ask whether old friendships and memories should be forgotten, making the song especially suitable for a transition into a new year.

The familiar melody was paired with Burns’s words in the nineteenth century, and the song became strongly associated with New Year celebrations in English-speaking countries. It is often sung while people hold hands in a circle or raise glasses for a toast.

“Auld Lang Syne” is not a song about New Year’s Day specifically. Its themes are remembrance, friendship, and shared history. Variations in pronunciation and lyrics are common, but the title and refrain identify the canonical song.