<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Auld Lang Syne Frank C. Stanley's 1910 performance of Auld Lang Syne . Contains the first and last verse Auld Lang Syne United States Navy Band instrumental performance Auld Lang Syne Les Deux Love Orchestra's Classic New Year's Eve Arrangement </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Problems playing these files? See media help . </Td> </Tr> <P> "Auld Lang Syne" (Scots pronunciation: (ˈɔːl (d) lɑŋˈsəin): note "s" rather than "z") 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 Scouting movement, in many countries, uses it to close jamborees and other functions . </P> <P> The song's Scots title may be translated into standard English as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago", "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". </P>

Who is being referred to in the song auld lang syne