The Scottish song written down by Robert Burns that became the standard international New Year's Eve singalong is “Auld Lang Syne.”
Burns sent a version of the song to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788, describing it as based on older traditional material. The words recall old friendships and shared memories, asking whether old acquaintances should be forgotten. That theme helped the song fit ceremonies of farewell and renewal.
The tune commonly used today is associated with a later musical tradition rather than being simply a melody composed by Burns. Arrangements and performances helped carry the song beyond Scotland, particularly through the work of bandleader Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, whose radio broadcasts made it strongly associated with midnight on New Year’s Eve in North America.
The title is frequently rendered in English as “For Auld Lang Syne,” but the best-known canonical title is “Auld Lang Syne.” The song’s use is international, even though its words remain rooted in Scots language and culture.