"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in
1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song (Roud # 6294).
It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world,
its traditional use being to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of
midnight. By extension, it is also sung at funerals, graduations and as a
farewell or ending to other occasions. The international Boy Scout youth
movement, in many countries, uses it as a close to jamborees and other
functions.
The song's Scots title may be translated into standard English as "old
long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago” or "days gone by" or "old
times". Consequently "For auld lang syne", as it appears
in the first line of the chorus, might be loosely translated as "for (the
sake of) old times".
