“Auld Lang Syne” is the traditional New Year's Eve song based on a poem by Scottish writer Robert Burns.
Burns wrote down and adapted Scots verses in 1788, preserving phrases associated with older songs and oral tradition. The title means roughly “old long since” or “for old times' sake,” which suits a song about remembering friendships and past experiences.
The melody and lyrics have changed in performance, and the song is not exclusively a New Year's piece. It is also used at farewells, graduations, memorials, and other transitions. English-speaking countries especially popularized its midnight association, while many places sing it in different arrangements or translations.