Farewell to thee, beautiful Moab

1. Farewell to thee, beautiful Moab,
Only in dreams shall I see
The banks of the shining Arnon,
As it winds its way to the sea;
Only in dreams shall I gather
The grapes from thy vineyards fair,
Or bind the sheaves with my sisters
In the mellow harvest air.

2. So over the fords of the Jordan
When the sweet springtime was come
Came Ruth from the land of Moab
To the new Judean home
And when the heads of barley
Hung from each bending stem,
She gathered behind the reapers
In the fields of Bethlehem.

3. And the God in whom she trusted
Gave sunshine, sweetness, and rest,
And a part in bringing his advent
In whom all nations are blest
For from the line of the alien
Came David, Israel's king,
And David's Son of Bethlehem
Is he whom angels sing.

Source: Carols of Hope: a compilation of select sacred songs for use in Sunday schools, praise and young people's services #114