Auld Lang Syne, attributed to Robert Burns, is commonly sung at midnight on New Year's Eve in English-speaking countries.
The song uses Scots words meaning “old long since,” a phrase referring to times long past or old friendships. Burns wrote down and adapted verses in 1788, drawing on older Scottish songs and oral traditions. The familiar melody was later paired with the words and became widely known internationally.
Its New Year's association grew during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, particularly through Scottish communities and mass broadcasting. People often sing it while linking arms or holding hands in a circle, although customs vary by country and group.
A common mistake is to treat Burns as the sole inventor of every word and musical element. He is credited with the best-known literary version, but the song has older roots. It is also used at farewells, memorials, graduations, and other transitions, not only on New Year's Eve.