Thanks for the feedback and comments. The scansion issue is a red herring; any good traditional singer can handle irregular metres, and it is one of the delights of such singing to use free rhythms to explore different kinds of expression.

Having said that it isn't a masterpiece, nor is Handel's setting of it one of his better known compositions. It was indeed composed as a favour for a friend, which I find an attractive and generous gesture. There is a recent CD of Handel's 'Occasional Songs' on the Somm label which I haven't heard, but which would be interested to listen to. Above all I'd love to hear it sung by the Holme Valley singers or a Lakeland hunt group if it is still in thier repertoires.