Who wrote the Scottish poem that became the song “Auld Lang Syne”?

Robert Burns wrote the Scottish poem that became the song “Auld Lang Syne.”

Burns sent a version of the poem to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788, describing an old Scottish song and adding words of his own. The phrase “auld lang syne” means something like “old long since,” or memories of times long past. Its theme is friendship, remembrance, and shared history.

The melody commonly used today was printed with the words in the early nineteenth century. The song spread widely through Scottish communities and later became associated with the turning of the year, especially in English-speaking countries.

Although many people sing it at midnight, “Auld Lang Syne” is not exclusively a New Year's song. It is also used at farewells, graduations, memorials, and other transitions. Burns was born in Alloway, Scotland, in 1759 and died in Dumfries in 1796.