Scottish poet Robert Burns is associated with the lyrics of “Auld Lang Syne,” sung at New Year's celebrations.
Burns wrote down and adapted words for the song in 1788, drawing on older Scottish verses and a traditional melody. The title is a Scots phrase that can be translated as “old long since,” or more naturally as “for old times' sake.” The song's theme is remembering friendship and shared experiences.
The tune and lyrics spread widely during the nineteenth century, helped by printed songbooks and Scottish communities overseas. By the twentieth century, “Auld Lang Syne” had become a common New Year's song in many English-speaking countries and is also recognized internationally.
Burns is associated with the song, but he was not necessarily its sole creator in the modern sense. He collected and reshaped traditional material rather than inventing every element from nothing. Its New Year's use is also a cultural convention, not a requirement of the original poem.