The Ieperlee (or Ypres-IJzer Canal) is a canalized river that rises in Heuvelland in the Belgian province of West Flanders and flows via the city of Ieper (Ypres) into the Yser at Fort Knokke.
The river is 17 kilometres (11 mi) long. It gave its name to the city of Ieper. In the 11th century the river was canalized to link the city, which had a thriving cloth industry, to the sea. Even in 1842, some 2034 boats still passed the lock at Boezinge. Today, the canal is only used for recreational purposes.
During the First World War, the river was part of the frontline. It linked the Ypres Salient, held by the French and English, to the Yser Front, held by the Belgian Army (see Dodengang).
Coordinates: 50°59′N 2°48′E / 50.983°N 2.800°E / 50.983; 2.800
If you ever leave, and I imagine you will,
It'll just be me and the whippoorwill -
Just we two, and the evening star,
If you pack your suitcase and go get in your car
And drive down the road
In the mud or the dust, over to the river,
KC or bust. If you ever go, I'll be here still,
Getting annoyed at the whippoorwill.
Getting annoyed, unable to sleep, the dust too dusty,
Or the mud too deep. I'll follow your dust,
Or I'll follow your tracks over to the hard road,
And I'll bring you back.
If you won't come back, I'll stay on your trail,
Up through heaven, or down through hell.
I'll miss this old place, I'll miss these old hills.
But I sure won't miss that whippoorwill.
You are dearer to me than the birds or the stars,
Sweeter to me than the hills and the flowers.
Long as I have you I can take anything.