Three Little Birds – English Lyrics

• By: Bob Marley, Connie Talbot

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the beauty of Jamaican Patois and the soothing rhythm of reggae with Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds." This timeless song offers a simple yet profound lesson in positivity, encouraging listeners to embrace a worry-free life as they learn the gentle cadence and heartwarming expressions of the Jamaican language.

[English]

Don't worry about a thing

'Cause every little thing gonna be alright

Singin', "Don't worry about a thing

'Cause every little thing gonna be alright"

Rise up this mornin', smile with the risin' sun

Three little birds pitched by my doorstep

Singin' sweet songs of melodies pure and true

Sayin', "This is my message to you"

Singin', "Don't worry about a thing

'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright"

Singin', "Don't worry, don't worry 'bout a thing

'Cause every little thing's gonna be alright"

Rise up this mornin', smile with the risin' sun

Three little birds pitched by my doorstep

Singin' sweet songs of melodies pure and true

Sayin', "This is my message to you"

Singin', "Don't worry about a thing" (worry 'bout a thing, no)

"Every little thing gonna be alright" (don't worry)

Singin', "Don't worry about a thing (I won't worry)

'Cause every little thing gonna be alright"

Hmm, don't worry about a thing

'Cause a every little thing, gonna be alright (I won't worry)

Baby, don't worry about a thing

'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright

Singing, "Don't worry about a thing" (worry about a thing, no, girl)

"'Cause every little thing gonna be alright"

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
worry /ˈwɜːri/ A2	verb - to feel anxious or troubled about something
little /ˈlɪtl/ A1	adjective - small in size or amount
thing /θɪŋ/ A1	noun - an object, situation, or idea
gonna /ˈɡʌnə/ A2	verb (colloquial) - going to, intending to
song /sɒŋ/ A1	noun - a musical piece with lyrics
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star at the center of our solar system
birds /bɜːrdz/ A2	noun - winged animals that can fly
rise /raɪz/ B1	verb - to move upward
smile /smaɪl/ A2	verb - to make a happy or friendly expression with your face
song /sɒŋ/ A1	noun - a musical piece with lyrics
message /ˈmɛsɪdʒ/ B1	noun - a piece of information or communication

Key Grammar Structures

• Every little thing gonna be alright

  ➔ Future tense using 'gonna' (going to) to express a future intention or certainty

  ➔ Used to indicate a near future action or certainty about the future.

• Singin' 'Cause every little thing gonna be alright

  ➔ Use of 'gonna' (informal 'going to') to express future tense in spoken language

  ➔ An informal contraction used primarily in speech to indicate the future.

• 'Cause every little thing's gonna be alright

  ➔ Use of the contraction 'cause' for 'because' to introduce reason or cause

  ➔ A colloquial contraction of 'because', used to explain reason in informal speech.

• Rise up this mornin', smile with the risin' sun

  ➔ Use of 'rise up' (phrasal verb) to describe getting up or awakening

  ➔ A phrasal verb indicating to stand up or get out of bed in the morning.

• Sayin', 'This is my message to you'

  ➔ Use of 'sayin'' as a colloquial abbreviation of 'saying', informal speech

  ➔ An informal shortened form of 'saying', used in speech to introduce speech or message.

• 'Cause every little thing's gonna be alright

  ➔ Repetition of 'gonna' (future intention) for emphasis and rhythm

  ➔ Repeating 'gonna' emphasizes the certainty and positive message of the song.