“Auld Lang Syne,” with lyrics attributed to Robert Burns, is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
The Scots phrase “auld lang syne” means something like “old long since,” or “for old times’ sake.” Robert Burns sent a version of the poem to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788, describing it as an old song and noting that he had supplied some additional words. The exact history of the melody and earlier verses is more complex than the familiar modern version.
The song became widely associated with New Year celebrations during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Its themes of friendship, remembrance, and shared history made it suitable for marking a transition between years. English-language communities around the world adopted it, often without knowing the Scots meaning of the title.
The song is also used at farewells, reunions, graduations, and memorial occasions. Different countries sing different verses or translations, so performances may not always use the complete Burns text. Its New Year association is cultural rather than a requirement of the calendar itself.