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Three Little Birds
Bob Marley
| Chord Guide | |||
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123 A: x02220 |
132
D: xx0232 |
231
E: 022100 |
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| Strum Guide |
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This is the strum pattern used in the recording: U U U U 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
|
This doesn’t sound as “reggae,” but it might be better for a solo guitar performance: D D DU UD D DU 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
Intro:
/ A - - - / x4
Chorus:
A A
Don’t worry about a thing
D A
’Cause every little thing gonna be all right
A A
Singin’ don’t worry about a thing,
D A
’Cause every little thing gonna be all right
Verse:
A
Rise up this mornin’
E
Smiled with the risin’ sun
A
Three little birds
D
Pitch by my doorstep
A
Singin’ sweet songs
E
Of melodies pure and true
D (A)
Sayin’ this is my message to you-ou-ou
Chorus
Verse
Chorus x3
End on A
This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
A lot of reggae is what I call groove-based music — meaning the groove is the main thing, the reason why the song sounds so good. Often the other parts aren't particularly interesting, and the melody in some reggae songs can be downright monotonous. But the groove is so infectious it's still a great song. Those songs pose a big challenge to the solo guitarist, because it's hard to play a great groove — especially a reggae groove with its offbeat accents — and sing at the same time. Thankfully, Three Little Birds has a sweet melody, and I think you can get away with a simpler strum pattern and still make the song sound good.