I've spoken to Graeme and my memory was correct for once.

To the best of his recollection he heard the song in Newcastle sung by a gentleman called Ronnie Duke ..... He thought that it may be a traditional Northumberland song as he remembered singing something similar at school but he has since learned that it may have been written by Charles Causley ....... I did an internet search but have not been able to come up with the Causley version .... someone else may have more luck ....
anyhow .. this is how Graeme remembers the words

Hawthorn White, Hawthorn Red

Hawthorne white, hawthorne red
Hanging in the garden overhead
Tell me simple, tell me true
When winter comes what will I do

I have a house with chimneys four
I have a silver bell on my door
A single hearth, a single bed
But that's not enough the hawthorn said

I have a lute, I have a lyre
I have a yellow cat by my fire
A Nightingale to my tree is tied
But never sings the hawthorn cried

I have a horse with wings for feet
I have a chicken each day to eat
When I was born the church bells rang
But just for time the hawthorn sang

I have a silk and satin spread
That runs blood red round my bed head
So why is my heart as light as lead
There's no love there the hawthorne said


Graeme sometimes sings the first verse as a chorus and also adds an extra verse (verse 4) that he wrote.

I have a garden filled with flowers
Where I walk for many long hours
Roses white and Roses red
But they'll soon wither the hawthorne said

Hope that helps you John ....