“Auld Lang Syne” became internationally famous as a New Year’s Eve song after Guy Lombardo’s orchestra performed it in broadcasts.
Lombardo and his Royal Canadians played the song around midnight in radio and later television broadcasts, helping make it a North American New Year tradition. His band’s association with the song was especially strong from the 1920s through the twentieth century.
The lyrics are based on Scottish verses written down and adapted by Robert Burns in 1788. The phrase means “old long since,” commonly expressed in English as “for old times’ sake.” The song’s message is about remembering old friendships and shared experiences.
Many countries use local translations, different verses, or alternate performance styles. Even so, the familiar melody and chorus remain widely recognizable at midnight, making the song one of the most internationally portable New Year customs.