Auld Lang Syne is the traditional New Year's Eve song whose familiar English words were written by Scottish poet Robert Burns.
Burns sent a version of the poem to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788, noting that the song was based on older Scottish material. The title is Scots for “old long since,” commonly understood in the sense of old times or days gone by. Its theme is remembering friendship and shared experiences.
The melody now associated with the words became widely established in the nineteenth century. The song spread beyond Scotland through social gatherings, publishing, and later radio and television, eventually becoming a customary choice at midnight celebrations in many countries.
Although it is strongly linked with New Year's Eve, Auld Lang Syne is also sung at farewells, reunions, memorial events, and other transitions. Its exact lyrics and pronunciation can vary, especially outside Scotland, but the chorus remains recognizable internationally.