Standing at the bus stop with my shopping in my hands when i'm over-hearing elder ladies, As the rumours start to fly You hear them in the school yard In the scrap yard In the chip shop In the phone box In the pool hall At the shoe store Every corner turn around
It started with a school girl Who was running, Running home to her Mam and Dad Told them she was playing, in the change room, Of the local football side, They said tell us again, She told them again, tell us the truth, they find it hard to believe 'Cause he taught our Steve, even trained me, Taught uncle John who's a father of three
Only takes one tree, to make a thousand matches Only takes one match, to burn a thousand trees A thousand trees
You see it in the classroom In the swimming pool Where the match-stick men are made At the scout's hall At the football Where the wise we trust are paid They all honour his name He did a lot for the game Got his name knocked up above the sports ground gates Now they're ripping them down, stamping the ground Picture gathers dust in the bar in the lounge
It takes one tree, to make a thousand matches Only takes one match, to burn a thousand trees A thousand trees
Wake up, and smell the rain Shake up, he's back to stay Hasn't been on a holiday His growing seeds don't believe Why he's been away
In the school yard Changing room Playing fields Bathroom Phone box Office blocks Corners turn around They keep doubting the flame, tossing the blame Got his name knocked up above the sports ground gates now they're ripping them down, stamping the ground Picture gathers dust in the bar, in the lounge
Only takes one tree, to make a thousand matches Only takes one match, to burn A thousand trees A thousand trees A thousand trees A thousand trees