Standin' at the bus stop

with my shoppin' in my hands

and I'm overhearin'

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 turned around

Started with a school girl

who was runnin'

runnin' home

to her Mom and Dad

Told them she was playin'

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

thousand trees

You see it in the classroom

at the swimmin' pool

where the

matchstick men are made

At the scout's hall

at the football

where the wise

we trust are paid

They all honour his name

did a lot for the game

got his name

knocked up above

the sports ground gates

But they're rippin' them down

stampin' 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

Wake up, smell the rain

shake up, he's back to stay

hasn't been on a holiday

growin' seeds don't believe

why he's been away...

In the school yard

change room

playin' field's bathroom

phone box, office blocks

corners turned around

They keep doubtin' the flame

tossin' the blame

got his name

knocked up above

the sports ground gates

Now they're rippin' them down

stampin' 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