Stanron wrote -
"A song like Old Lands Syne is traditionally sung at New Year. "
The song that I prefer to sing on Hogmanay is Auld Lang Syne. In a direct transalation into English would mean Old Long Since but that does not convey the meaning which is more like "old times" or "the olden days" or "The good days of our youth." It may be anonymous to Stavran but surely everyone knows that the words are by Robert Burns.
Today it is normally sung by the big circle holding hands to that anthemic tune and it serves this celebratory function well.....
But that was not Burns' intention which is obvious when it is sung to the contemplative tune that Burns set it to. If you study the full set of lyrics you will hear two old buddies meeting after many years apart and looking back over their lives and enjoying a drink together -

Auld Lang Syne

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

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae ran about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun til dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.

Chorus

And surely you'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!


Chorus

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne!

Chorus