The traditional New Year's Eve song widely associated with midnight celebrations in English-speaking countries is “Auld Lang Syne.”
The song uses words written or collected by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. Its title is Scots for “old long since,” commonly understood in the song as “for old times' sake.” The lyrics ask whether old friends and remembered times should be forgotten, making the piece especially suited to farewells and reunions.
The familiar melody became internationally popular during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In the United States, Guy Lombardo and his orchestra helped establish it as a New Year's Eve broadcast tradition, particularly through performances connected with celebrations in New York City.
“Auld Lang Syne” is not exclusively a New Year's song. It is also used at graduations, memorials, retirements, and other moments of transition. Pronunciations and verses vary, and many celebrants know only the opening lines, but the title and melody remain recognizable worldwide.