What does "auld lang syne" literally mean?

Question

I had a notion it meant for "old times' sake" but I may be wrong...

Answer 1

Auld Lang Syne means Old Long Ago, and is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year's

Answer 2

You're right it does mean 'for old times sake' or 'times gone by'. Popularised by Robert Burns who wrote the song and like most of his work written in Scottish dialect. See below

AULD LANG SYNE

Words adapated from a traditional song
by Rabbie Burns (1759-96)

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 dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

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

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

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

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

Meanings

auld lang syne - times gone by
be - pay for
braes - hills
braid - broad
burn - stream
dine - dinner time
fiere - friend
fit - foot
gowans - daisies
guid-willie waught - goodwill drink
monie - many
morning sun - noon
paidl't - paddled
pint-stowp - pint tankard
pou'd - pulled
twa - two

Answer 3

And days of long ago, it was created by the Scottish and used just before battles to get them pumped up and ready for war

Answer 4

literally it means
old
long
time
it means nothing really

Answer 5

YOU ARE RIGHT I THINK