The song commonly sung at New Year’s midnight and traditionally linked to Robert Burns is “Auld Lang Syne.”
The Scots title means roughly “old long since” or “for old times’ sake.” Its lyrics look back on friendship and shared memories, which made it especially suitable for a farewell to the old year and a welcome to the new one. The song is usually sung while people stand in a circle and hold hands, sometimes crossing their arms at the final verse.
Robert Burns sent a version of the words to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788, describing them as an old song. A later version was published in 1796, after Burns’s death. The familiar melody became standardized through later musical arrangements and performances.
The song is not exclusively a New Year anthem. It is also used at farewells, graduations, memorials, and other endings. Another common misconception is that Burns invented every word and the melody; his contribution drew on older Scottish song material, while the tune and text evolved through publication and performance.