THREE LITTLE BIRDS by BOB MARLEY - Great for beginners!
Intro C
Chorus
Don't [C]worry about a thing,
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right.
Singin' Don't [C]worry about a thing,
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right!
Verse 1
[C]Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the [G]risin' sun,
Three little [F]birds
Pitch by my [F]doorstep
Singin' [C]sweet songs
Of melodies [G]pure and true,
Sayin', [F]This is my message to [C]you-ou-ou
Chorus
Singin’ Don't [C]worry about a thing,
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right.
Singin' Don't [C]worry about a thing,
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right!
Verse 2
[C]Rise up this mornin',
Smiled at the [G]risin' sun,
Three little [F]birds
Pitch by my [F]doorstep
Singin' [C]sweet songs
Of melodies [G]pure and true,
Sayin', [F]This is my message to [C]you-ou-ou
Chorus
Don't [C]worry about a thing,
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right.
Singin' Don't [C]worry about a thing,
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right!
Outro
Singin' Don't [C]worry about a thing,
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right – I won’t worry!
Don’t [C]worry about a thing,
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right.
Singin' Don't [C]worry about a thing, oh no!
'Cause [F]every little thing gonna be all [C]right!
➡️ Download a PDF of ‘3 Little Birds’
➡️ Download our Free Chord Diagram Chart
The Story Behind the Song
The story behind Three Little Birds by Bob Marley is much simpler and more uplifting than a lot of his other work—it’s basically a song about reassurance and optimism in everyday life.
Where the idea came from
There are two main stories about the inspiration:
1. Actual birds outside his window
According to people close to Marley, he often saw small birds (likely canaries) near his home in Jamaica. Their presence and singing inspired the idea that even small, ordinary things can bring comfort.
2. A nickname for his backup singers
Some say “three little birds” referred to the trio of female backing vocalists, the I Threes (which included Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt). Marley sometimes called them his “three little birds,” though this interpretation is debated.
The core message
The song’s famous line:
“Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be alright”
captures its whole meaning. It’s about:
Letting go of anxiety
Trusting that things will work out
Finding peace in the present moment
Why it sounds so good on the ukulele
Part of the reason the song became so iconic is its simplicity:
Gentle rhythm and bright melody
Repetitive, easy-to-remember lyrics
A message that applies to almost anyone!
Happy Strumming 😊