-- By Robert Burns --
Auld Lang Syne is one of the most well known New Years poems, the musical tune to which the poem is set dates back to 1799. Auld Lang Syne directly translates to "old long since", referring to days and times of past.
While the poem was written by Robert Burns, it is actually based on an older Scottish folk song. Robert Burns happened to be the first to submit a written version to the Scots Music Museum in 1788, thus entering the song into the historical record. Auld Lang Syne was written in the Scottish language and thus easily gained popularity in English. The song has a melancholy nostalgia, and while mostly sang at New Years, it is also applicable to, and repeated, at graduations, funerals, or the conclusion of large celebrations.
