“Auld Lang Syne” is the song traditionally sung at many New Year's celebrations, using lyrics adapted from a poem by Robert Burns.
Burns wrote down and sent a version of the Scottish poem in 1788, drawing on older Scots verses and phrases. The title means “old long since,” or more naturally, “for old times' sake.” Its lyrics ask whether old acquaintances and shared memories should be forgotten, making it a natural choice for a ceremony about endings and beginnings.
The familiar melody was paired with the words in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century, and the song later spread internationally through printed collections and public performances. It is especially associated with English-speaking countries, but translations and local versions exist elsewhere.
Although many people know only the opening line and refrain, the song has several verses. It is not specifically a Christmas carol; its strongest modern association is with midnight on December 31.