I learned it in the late 1950s from my Great Aunt Agnes, when she was in her seventies. She told me she learned it from her grandmother when she was a child in Oldham, so that puts it back to the late 19th century at least. We used to sing it when we were collecting money for fireworks and wood for the bonfire. Incidentally, Norah Sykes (mentioned above by Mark Dowding) lived next door to another of my Great Aunts (Sarah) in Greenfield. Small world!
Tim, feeling nostalgic!