A Thousand Trees

Standing at the bus stop with my shopping in my hands When I'm overhearing elder ladies As the rumours start to fly You hear them in the schoolyard, in the scrapyard In the chip shop, in the phone box In the pool hall, at the shoe stall Every corner turned around It started with a schoolgirl who was running Running home to her mam and dad Told them she was playing in the change room Of her 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, he 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 matchstick 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, 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 In the schoolyard, change room Playing fields, bathroom Phone box, office blocks Corners turned 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 It 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