Auld Lang Syne is the traditional song often sung at midnight on New Year's Eve in English-speaking countries.
The song uses a Scots phrase meaning roughly “old long since,” or memories of times long past. Its familiar lyrics are based mainly on a poem published by Robert Burns in 1788, although Burns drew on older Scottish words and melodies. The tune became widely associated with farewell gatherings and the beginning of a new year.
In many places, people sing the song while linking hands in a circle, especially for the final verse. Performances vary: some use the original Scots wording, while others use adapted or shortened versions. Instrumental versions are also common when crowds do not sing.
Auld Lang Syne is not exclusively a New Year's song. It can mark graduations, memorials, retirements, and other departures, but its global association with midnight on December 31 is especially strong.