A traditional Scottish folk song collected and adapted by national poet Robert Burns. Originally a celebratory drinking song reflecting on 'times gone by' and reuniting with old friends, it evolved into an international New Year's Eve anthem across the English-speaking world.
Introduced to Meiji Japan in 1881 in the Ministry of Education's first songbook with lyrics by Chikai Inagaki as 'Hotaru no Hikari' (Glow of Fireflies). Drawing on the classical idiom of diligent study by firefly light, it became Japan's definitive graduation hymn and, eventually, the ubiquitous nationwide background music signaling store closing time.
A festive Scottish drinking song celebrating reunion and the New Year was redefined in modern Japan into a solemn graduation anthem and a functional daily signal for store closing.