I should have added that Martha Vicunus' The Industrial Muse has a 4 page section on Joe Wilson (plus numerous other references in the text).

The book I referred to above was, I think, Tyneside Songs and Drolleries, Readings and Temperance Songs, Joe Wilson, 1890?. It was republished in the 70s I think, but I haven't seen a copy for a while and don't think it's in print now.

Mick