The "Auld Lang Syne" song lyrics are derived from a poem by Robert Burns (1759–1796). The song reflects upon old friendships that have stood the test of time, and begins with a rhetorical question, "Should old acquaintance be forgot?"
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?”
“Auld Lang Syne” is literally “Old long since..” or more in more modern speech: “…times gone by.”