Auld Lang Syne traditionally plays at midnight during New Year's Eve celebrations in Scotland.
The song uses a Scots phrase meaning roughly “old long since” or “for old times' sake.” Its best-known words are based on a poem published by Robert Burns in 1788, although Burns drew on earlier Scots verses and traditional material. The melody now commonly used became associated with the song through later musical arrangements.
At midnight, people often stand in a circle, hold hands, and sing the song together. The custom is especially prominent at Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration, but it has spread internationally. English-speaking communities and many other cultures use it for farewells, anniversaries, and other moments marking a transition.
Auld Lang Syne is not exclusively a New Year's song, and versions differ in wording and melody. The familiar refrain asks whether old friends and times should be forgotten, giving the performance its reflective tone. The song's worldwide reach comes from Scottish migration, recordings, broadcasts, and its simple communal structure.