Three Little Birds | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
||: A | A :||
Chorus 1
||: A | A | D | A :||
Don’t worry, about a thing. ’Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
Singing, don’t worry, about a thing. ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
Verse 1
| A | E |
Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun.
| A | D |
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep.
| A | E |
Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true.
| D | A |
Saying, “This is my message to you-ou-ou”.
Chorus 2
Singing, don’t worry, about a thing. ’Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
Singing, don’t worry, about a thing (don’t worry). ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
Verse 2
Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun.
Three little birds, pitch by my doorstep.
Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true.
Saying, “This is my message to you-ou-ou”.
Chorus 3
Singing, don’t worry, about a thing (worry about a thing, oh). ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright (don’t worry).
Singing, don’t worry about a thing (I won’t worry). ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
Chorus 4
||: A | A | D | A :|| x3
Singing, don’t worry about a thing. ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright (I won’t worry).
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing. ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
Singing, don’t worry about a thing (don’t worry about a thing). ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
Three Little Birds Chords: How Simplicity Elevates Bob Marley’s Message
The seemingly simple chords of Three Little Birds make this song feel timeless, and it certainly will be for years to come!
The chorus follows a straightforward I – IV progression in the key of A, looking like this:
||: A (I) | A | D (IV) | A :||
The verse is equally simple, moving from I – V – I – IV, and then switching the last two chords to IV – I, like so:
| A (I) | E (V) | A | D (IV) |
| A | E | D | A |
This incredible simplicity perfectly complements the song’s positive message, making it sound like an undeniable truth: don’t worry, every little thing is gonna be alright!
If you’re looking to play Three Little Birds on the electric guitar, I recommend exploring the CAGED shapes all over the neck. Play along with the original recording as you do so.
For the authentic sound, you’ll need to tune down to 432hz, aligning with Bob’s magical frequency. He not only likes to get high but also knows the importance of going low!
For acoustic guitar, it’s essential to add a bass line with the chords—without it, it won’t quite capture the reggae vibe. To help, I’ve created a TAB lesson. Here’s the link: Three Little Birds – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Once you’re comfortable with the chords, a simple chord chart is all you need. Here’s one I made for you.
Three Little Birds Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro
Since the chords are so simple, all you need are the two sections and the structure outlined in my chord chart above.
If you’d like to download it, here’s a PDF: Three Little Birds chord chart PDF.
This chart was created using iReal Pro—here’s a link to the iReal Pro file: Three Little Birds chord chart iReal Pro. With the iReal Pro app, you can easily transpose the song to any key.
Three Little Birds: A Standout Track on the Greatest B-Side Ever
On what can only be described as the greatest B-side to an album ever recorded, Three Little Birds appears as the second-to-last track.
The 1977 Exodus B-side features an incredible lineup: Jamming, Waiting in Vain, Turn Your Lights Down Low, Three Little Birds, and One Love/People Get Ready.
Exodus propelled Bob Marley to global superstardom, cementing his legacy as one of the most beloved songwriters and performers of all time. In 1999, Time magazine even named Exodus the best album of the 20th century.
Three Little Birds Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Three Little Birds (Bob Marley) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: