Standing at the bus stop

with my shopping in my hands

when I'm overhearing elder ladies

as the rumours start to fly



You can hear them in the school yard

scrap yard

chip shop

phone box

in the pool hall

at the shoe stall

every corner turned around



It started with a school girl

who was running

running home to her mum and dad

told them she was playing

in the change room

of her local football side

They said tell us again

so she told them again

they said 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



CHORUS



But it only takes one tree

to make a thousand matches

only takes one match

to burn a thousand trees



You see it in the class room

in the swimming pool

where the match stick men are made

at the scouts hall

at the football

where the wise we trust are paid

They all honour his name

he did a lot for the game

he got his name knocked up

above the sports ground gates

But now they are ripping them down

stamping the ground

picture gathers dust

behind the bar in the lounge



CHORUS



Wake up and smell the rain

shake up he's back to stay

he hasn't been on a holiday

he's growing seeds don't believe

why he's been away



In the school yard

change room

playing fields

bathroom

phone box

office blocks

corner turned around

They keep doubting the flame

tossing the blame

got his name knocked up

above the sports ground gates

But they're ripping them down

stamping the ground

pictures gathers dust

in the bar in the lounge



CHORUS