Three Little Birds

• By: Bob Marley
• Album: Legend

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
worry /ˈwʌri/ A2	verb - to feel or show anxiety and concern about actual or potential problems noun - a state of anxiety and concern
thing /θɪŋ/ A1	noun - an object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to
alright /ˌɔːlˈraɪt/ A2	adjective - satisfactory or acceptable
rise /raɪz/ A2	verb - get up from lying, sitting, or kneeling noun - an upward movement; a move to a higher position
morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the period of time between sunrise and noon
smile /smaɪl/ A1	verb - form one's features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression noun - a pleased, kind, or amused facial expression
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star that provides light and heat to Earth
birds /bɜːrdz/ A1	noun - a warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate animal of the class Aves
pitch /pɪtʃ/ B1	verb - to throw something
doorstep /ˈdɔːrstɛp/ B1	noun - a step in front of an outside door
sing /sɪŋ/ A1	verb - make musical sounds with the voice
sweet /swiːt/ A2	adjective - having a pleasant taste like that of sugar
songs /sɔːŋz/ A1	noun - a musical composition with words
melodies /ˈmelədiz/ B2	noun - a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
pure /pjʊr/ B2	adjective - not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material
true /truː/ A2	adjective - in accordance with fact or reality
message /ˈmesɪdʒ/ B1	noun - a verbal, written, or recorded communication sent to or left for someone

Grammar:

• Don't worry about a thing

  ➔ Imperative with negative form. Using "Don't" + verb in base form to give a command or instruction.

  ➔ This is a direct instruction telling the listener not to be concerned about anything.

• 'Cause every little thing gonna be alright

  ➔ Informal contraction of "because" ('cause) and future tense using "gonna" (going to).

  ➔ "Gonna" is a very common colloquial way to say "going to" indicating a future event.

• Rise up this morning, smile with the rising sun

  ➔ Imperative verb in the positive form ("Rise up", "smile"). It's a call to action or encouragement.

  ➔ This is an instruction to the listener to take positive action - to get up and be happy.

• Three little birds pitch by my doorstep

  ➔ Simple present tense, describing a recurring event. "Pitch" could also be used in a slightly less common transitive sense, implying they positioned themselves.

  ➔ "Pitch" here means to land or settle down, usually used for birds.

• Singin' sweet songs of melodies pure and true

  ➔ Present participle used as an adjective ("singing") modifying "songs". "Of" expressing the contents of the songs.

  ➔ Describes the songs as being sweet and having pure and true melodies, and uses a shortened form "Singin'" instead of "Singing".

• Sayin', this is my message to you

  ➔ Present participle ("Sayin'") used to describe the action of the birds. "This is my message to you" – a simple statement of direct communication.

  ➔ Emphasizes the birds' role as messengers. The birds are conveying a specific message.

• Meanin', don't worry about a thing

  ➔ Present participle ("Meanin'") to introduce the meaning or implication of something. Reinforces the message of reassurance.

  ➔ Connects the previous statement to its intended message: a carefree attitude towards life.