The term BURNSIAN 'AGO' is a reference to the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The crossword solution SYNE (4 letters) is a reference to the poem 'Auld Lang Syne' written by Burns in 1788. The phrase 'Auld Lang Syne' translates to 'long ago' or 'days gone by' and is often used to refer to the past. Therefore, the term BURNSIAN 'AGO' is a reference to the past as seen through the eyes of Robert Burns.