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Quodling's Delight appeared in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book at the beginning of the 17th century. it is No 114 in the collection, attributed to Giles Farnaby, and consists of a keyboard setting of the tune, with 3 additional variations.
Slightly later, in 1651, the melody was published in the English Dancing Master by John Playford under the title Goddesses. It remained in all subsequent editions, the last of which was published c1728.
The third appearance of the tune is as a ballad, variously known as I would I were in my own country, or The Oak and the Ash, or A North Country Maid, probably dating from mid-17th century.
Goddesses appears in several collections of country dance tunes, and The Oak and the Ash in collections of folk songs.
A related tune, Fayne Would I Wedd, by Richard Farnaby, is No 197 in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book.
The tune is a close relative of Greensleeves, which has an 'open' ending followed by a 'closed' ending on the repeat, instead of the two 'open' endings of Goddesses.
An arrangement incorporating the three main tunes (Quodling's Delight, Goddesses, The Oak and the Ash) is in the repertoire of Hacknery Community Orchestra
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