Song of Ruth (Wherever You Go) - Norbet

This is a hymn about companionship in faith. The words are based on Ruth 1:16-17: This tells of the words of the recently-widowed Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of Mahlon (Ruth's husband, Naomi's son). Many couples have found that the words are appropriate for marriage, so the song is also popular at weddings.

It was written by American Roman Catholic and at-the-time Benedictine monk Gregory Norbet (b 1940), and originally released in 1972. Today it is copyright to the monks of Weston Priory via the The Benedictine Foundation of the State of Vermont.

The original version included a fairly-lengthy spoken interlude between the first and second verses (which can be see in this version from Weston Priory). However, especially at weddings, song is usually without this piece and with a third verse (author unknown).

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Norbet. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of Bb, the first few notes of the melody are D DCB, F_ D_ C B__ with accompanying chords Bb / F7 / Bb. Sheet music is available from OCP - link below.

Image from PxFuel

Downloads

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Examples

Singer with piano - professional recording?

Soloist with keyboard and fiddle:

Duet with piano, words on-screen, professional recording?

Signer with guitar - possibly the original recording remastered:

Instrumental - light orchestra sound:

Instrumental - organ:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Wherever you go, I shall go.
Wherever you live, so shall I live.
Your people will be my people,
And your God will be my God, too.

Wherever you die, I shall die;
And there shall I be buried beside you
We will be together forever,
And our love will be the gift of our life.

Wherever you go, I shall go.
Wherever you live, so shall I live.
Your people will be my people,
And our love will be the gift of our lives.