Frezenberg in West-Vlaanderen, Flanders, Belgium — Northwestern Europe
Frezenberg Scottish Memorial
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 13, 2024
1. Frezenberg Scottish Memorial Marker
By Robert Burns
Scotland's National Poet
When wild war's deadly blast was blawn.
And gentle peace returning,
Wi’ mony a sweet babe fatherless,
And mony a widow mourning;
I left the lines and tented field,
Where lang I’d been a lodger,
My humble knapsack a’ my wealth,
A poor and honest sodger.
A leal, light heart was in my breast,
My hand unstain’d wi’ plunder,
And for fair Scotia hame again,
I cheery on did wander.
I thought upon the banks o’ Coil,
I thought upon my Nancy,
I thought upon the witching smile,
That caught my youthful fancy,
At length I reach’d the bonie glen
where early life I sported;
I pass’d the mill and trysting thorn
Where Nancy aft I courted:
Wha spied I but ain dear maid,
Down by her mother’s dwelling!
And turn’d me round to hide the flood
That in my een was swelling
Wi’ alter’d voice, quoth I, "Sweet lass,
Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom,
O! happy, happy may he be,
That’s dearest to thy bosom:
My purse is light, I’ve far to gang.
And fain would be thy lodger,
I’ve served my king and country lang -
Take pity on a
this page online
Sae wistfully she gaz’d on me,
And lovelier was than ever; Quo' she,
A sodger once I lo’ed, Forget him shall I never.
Our humble cot, and hamely fare,
Ye freely shall partake it;
That gallant badge - the dear cockade,
Ye’re welcome for the sake o’t.”
She gaz’d - she redden’d like a rose
Syne pale like only lily:;
She sank within my arms and cried,
“Art thou my ain dear Willie?”
By him who made yon sun and sky!
By whom true love’s regarded,
I am the man; and thus may still
True lovers be rewarded.
"The wars are o’er, and I’m come hame,
And find thee still true-hearted;
Tho’ poor in gear, we’re rich in love,
And mair we’se ne’er be parted.”
Quo’ she, My grandsire left me gowd,
A mailen' plenish'd fairly;
Then come, my faithfu' sodger lad,
Thou'rt welcome to it dearly!”
For gold the merchant ploughs the main,
The farmer ploughs the manor;
But glory is the sodger's prize,
The sodger's wealth is honor.
The brave poor sodger ne'er despise,
Nor count him as a stranger:
Remember he's his country's stay,
In day and hour o' danger.
Topics. This memorial is listed
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 13, 2024
2. Frezenberg Scottish Memorial
Location. 50° 52.049′ N, 2° 56.69′ E. Memorial is in Frezenberg, Vlaanderen (Flanders), in West-Vlaanderen. It is at the intersection of Ieperstraat (National Route 332) and Highway A19, on the left when traveling east on Ieperstraat. Marker can be reached easily from a small side road to the north of N332. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Ieperstraat 248, Frezenberg, Vlaanderen 8980, Belgium. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Scotland Monument (a few steps from this marker); Franse begraafplaats St. Charles de Potyze (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); 177th Tunneling Company Royal Engineers Memorial (approx. 1.8 kilometers away); Pte John William Ogley
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 13, 2024
3. Frezenberg Scottish Memorial
More about this memorial. This figure is also part of the “Figures of the War” memorial seen on the other side of the Scottish Monument.
Also see . . .
1. A Soldier’s Return. (Submitted on March 2, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
2. The Tradational Tune Archive.
The air to the song is that to which poet Robert Burns in 1793 set "The Sodger's (Soldier's) Return" ("The Poor and Honest Soldier"). See also the closely related "Deadly Wars (The)" and "Poor Soldier." Burns' poem is a reworking of a folk theme, popular since Homer's Ulysses, of lovers parted by war -- when the man returns he is not recognized but finds his love has been true, reveals himself and is happily reunited.(Submitted on March 2, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 13, 2024
4. Figures of War Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 1, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 4. submitted on March 2, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
