Standing at the bus stop with my shopping in my hands
And I'm overhearing elder ladies as the rumors 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 store, every corner turn around
It started with a school girl who was running
Running home to her mom 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 thought I was Steve, he even trained me
Taught our 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
Seen him 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 honor his name, he did a lot for the game
Got his name knocked up above the sports ground gates
But 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
Thousand trees
Wake up, smell 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, change 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
Only takes one tree to make a thousand matches
Only takes one match to burn a thousand trees
Thousand trees, thousand trees, thousand trees