“Auld Lang Syne,” traditionally sung at midnight, was adapted by Robert Burns from an older Scottish folk song.
The title uses Scots words meaning roughly “old long since,” or “for old times’ sake.” Burns sent a version of the poem to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788, explaining that it was based on an old song and tune. The familiar melody was standardized later through printed collections and musical arrangements.
The song became associated with farewell gatherings, reunions, and New Year celebrations in Scotland before spreading internationally. Its lyrics ask whether old acquaintances should be forgotten and then recall shared memories through images such as drinking a cup of kindness and taking a walk together.
The song’s wording and tune can vary by country, and many singers know only the chorus or the first verse. It is not a song written specifically for New Year’s Eve, but its themes of remembrance and friendship made it especially suitable for the turn of the year.