Robert Burns wrote the poem later known as “Auld Lang Syne,” a song often sung at New Year's Eve celebrations.
Burns sent a version of the Scots-language poem to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788. The words recall old friendships and shared memories, asking whether old acquaintances should be forgotten.
The melody commonly used today was paired with the words later and is not necessarily the tune Burns originally heard. This helps explain why musical arrangements can differ between countries and performances.
“Auld Lang Syne” became strongly associated with New Year's Eve in the twentieth century, especially in English-speaking societies. The title is commonly translated as “old long since” or “for old times' sake,” rather than referring specifically to New Year's Day.