Celebrations for New Year's Eve vary throughout the world. However, there is one tradition that most of the Western world can agree upon, and that is Auld Lang Syne. For those unfamiliar, Auld Lang Syne is an old song from Scotland. It is most commonly sung on New Year's Eve, though it is also found at celebrations, usually graduations, retirement and farewell parties, and closing ceremonies.

Origins
Auld Lang Syne originated in Scotland, both as song and phrase. The most literal translation is: “old long since”, which means basically “long long ago”. Auld Lang Syne is so old that it has no true, traceable writer. As with most songs that are passed down from generation to generation, its beginning has faded into memory, and now existing as something “that everybody knows”. The majority of the lyrics we know today were recorded by the poet Robert Burns, a copy of which can be found in the Scots Musical Museum, handwritten by Burns. He claims he heard it “from an old man”, though many believe he added several of his own verses. In 1711, a man named James Watson published verses for “Old Long Syne” which is extremely close to Burns' version.

The Words
The theme of Auld Lang Syne is, of course, the past. It's a nostalgic, loving song, which calls upon us to not to forget the old times past, but to cherish them as wonderful memories. This is why it's particularly suited to New Year's celebrations, when we're taking time not only to usher in the upcoming year, but to reflect on the old, honor it, and send it properly to its resting place.

Since it is an old song, and has been written down by more than several poets and musicians, the words to Auld Lang Syne vary from place to place, but the gist is the same. There are several verses, but the most commonly sung are the first and last (as well as the chorus), which go something like this:

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

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

And there's a hand my trust friend,
And give us a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draft
for auld lang syne.

Performance
In addition to singing the song, sometimes revelers will perform a sort of dance as well. At the beginning of the song everyone gathers in a circle, and crosses their arms over their chests to grip the hands of the people standing beside them. As the song nears its end, everyone moves to the center of the circle, and then twists, so that at the final words everyone (still holding hands) is facing outward rather than in.

There's nothing like an old tradition to link our present to the past while hailing in the future. Whether or not the words vary from place to place has no effect upon the meaning of those words, nor the way they bring everyone together. So think back to a good memory, grab the hands of those nearest to you, and sing out for both the old year and the new.