I am pretty sure that this is a traditional Geordie song. 40+ years ago, my former wife's family gave me a "best wishes" card (which I have in front of me), with the words (and four small cartoons) virtually identical to the "Alternative Lyrics" shown by Peace (i.e, fishy,dishy). There is, however, a first verse, before "Here's thy mother humming", which goes:

Come here, my little Jackey,
Now I've smoked my backey,
Let's have a bit crackey
Till the boat comes in.

The card was published by T & G Allan (Newcastle) Ltd as "Tyneside Song Series No. 7". There is no writing or collecting credit, and I seem to recall that other songs in the series that were attributable (e.g. Blaydon Races) DID have the credits.

I knew the song as a child in the south east during the fifties and sixties, but with the sublime innocence of youth just thought of it as English, rather than from any particular part of England!