Auld Lang Syne traditionally accompanies New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world. The Scots-language title means “old long since,” referring to memories and friendships from times past.
The song is commonly associated with the poet Robert Burns, who wrote down a version in 1788 after hearing traditional Scottish verses and melodies. Burns sent the lyrics to the Scots Musical Museum, helping preserve and popularize them. The familiar tune became widely established during the nineteenth century.
People often sing Auld Lang Syne immediately after midnight, linking hands in a circle during the final verse. It is not exclusively a New Year’s song: performances also occur at graduations, funerals, farewells and other transitions. Different countries use translated or adapted lyrics, but the English-language refrain remains internationally recognizable.