Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung at midnight during Scotland’s Hogmanay New Year celebration.
The song uses words associated with the Scottish poet Robert Burns, who wrote down and adapted a version in 1788. Its title is Scots for “old long since,” commonly understood in the sense of times gone by or old times. The lyrics ask whether old acquaintances should be forgotten and celebrate friendship and shared memories.
Although strongly linked with Scotland, Auld Lang Syne became an international New Year’s song through performances, broadcasts, and social gatherings in many countries. People often sing it while standing in a circle and joining hands. The melody and lyrics can vary between versions, so performances are not always identical. Hogmanay is Scotland’s New Year celebration, while the song itself is not exclusive to Scotland and is also used at farewells and other milestone occasions.