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

you can 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 foorball side

they said tell us again, she told them again,

tell us the truth, they find it hard to believe

'cause he taught our i was steve, he even trained me,

taught our john who's a father of three

only takes one tree, to make 1000 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

but they're ripping them down, stamping the ground

picture gathers dust behind 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

wake up, and smell the rain

shake up, he's back to stay

he hasn't been on a holiday

his growing seeds don't believe

why he's been away

from the school yard

changing room

playing field

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

and 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

a thousand trees

a thousand trees

a thousand trees