Traditionally belted out wine and beers in hand on New Year’s Eve, Auld Lang Syne was originally a Scots-language poem by Robert Burns, based on an older Scottish folk song, and first written down in 1788. The phrase literally translates to ‘old long since’ or more loosely as ‘for the sake of old times’, reflecting nostalgia and the value of long-standing friendship

The song begins with a rhetorical question about whether old times should be forgotten, emphasizing the importance of remembering past relationships and shared experiences

Should old acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot
and old lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
for auld lang syne
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet
for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup
and surely I’ll buy mine
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot
since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream
from morning sun till dine
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend
And give me a hand o’ thine
And we’ll take a right goodwill draught
for auld lang syne