a thousand trees

standing at the bus stop with my shopping in my hands

and i'm overhearing elder ladies

as the rumours start to fly

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 stall

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 found 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

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

thousand trees

wake up

smell the rain

shake up

he's back to stay

hasn't been on a holiday

growing seeds don't believe

why he's been away

from 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

and it only takes one tree to make a thousand matches

only takes one match to burn a thousand trees

thousand trees

thousand trees

thousand trees