Auld Lang Syne, with lyrics by Robert Burns, is commonly sung at New Year's celebrations in English-speaking countries.
Burns sent a version of the words to a Scottish music collector in 1788, describing them as an old song. The phrase “auld lang syne” means roughly “old long since” or “for old times' sake,” expressing remembrance and enduring friendship.
The melody now associated with the song became widely established later, and the tune's exact history is more complicated than the simple claim that Burns wrote everything. Burns adapted traditional material rather than creating the entire song from nothing.
The song became especially prominent at New Year's through public celebrations and broadcasts. It is also used at farewells and other closing moments, so its appearance is not limited strictly to December 31. Pronunciations and translations vary around the world.