Auld Lang Syne is the traditional song commonly sung at midnight during English-speaking New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The title is Scots for “old long since,” or more naturally, “for old times’ sake.” The song is based on a Scots poem published in 1788 and commonly associated with Robert Burns, although parts of the wording and tune draw on older material.
The song became strongly connected with New Year observances through nineteenth- and twentieth-century popular culture. Its lyrics focus on friendship, remembrance, and shared past experiences rather than on the new year itself.
People often know only the opening melody and first verse, and versions vary by country. It is also used at farewells, memorial occasions, and other moments of transition.