Bob Marley: "Three Little Birds" Mellow Version

A mellow solo-piano take on “Three Little Birds” lets the tune’s comforting mantra breathe, with gentle left-hand chords rocking like a lullaby while the right hand softly threads Marley’s hopeful melody. With a candlelit atmosphere each note feels like a whispered reminder that “every little thing is gonna be all right.”

This post is part three of the Mild & Mellow Sheet Music Series.
Bob Marley: "Three Little Birds" Mellow Version

About Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”:

Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” released in 1977 on the album Exodus, is a buoyant anthem of reassurance that epitomizes Marley’s gift for pairing simple melodies with profound, uplifting messages. Anchored by a lilting reggae groove, bright keyboard stabs, and the gentle sway of the Wailers’ rhythm section, the song centers on a memorable chorus—“Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be all right”—delivered with Marley’s warm, soothing vocals. The titular birds, said to have been inspired either by the canaries that visited Marley’s windowsill or the backing singers (the I-Threes), symbolize hope and the promise of better days. Over time, “Three Little Birds” has transcended its roots to become a universal hymn of optimism, embraced worldwide in moments of uncertainty and celebration alike.


About the Kacey Musgraves version of “Three Little Birds”:

Kacey Musgraves’ 2023 cover of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” recorded for the soundtrack to the biopic Bob Marley: One Love, trades the original’s roots-reggae bounce for a dusky, country-pop sway. Acoustic guitar, brushed drums, and a faint steel-guitar twang wrap around her airy vocal, gently stretching Marley’s mantra—“every little thing gonna be all right”—into something both intimate and widescreen. Subtle synth pads and layered harmonies create a dreamy, late-night atmosphere, while Musgraves’ warm drawl lends the song a tender optimism that feels at home alongside her own catalog of reflective, sun-bleached Americana. The reinterpretation honors Marley’s message of reassurance yet reframes it through Musgraves’ trademark blend of sweet melancholy and modern Nashville shimmer, offering a fresh entry point for listeners discovering the classic through her prism. (pitchfork.com)


🎶 “Three Little Birds” Intermediate Piano: Kacey Musgraves Version

Key features of this version:

  • This piano solo arrangement is modeled after the mellow cover version by Kasey Musgraves
  • 7 total pages
  • Includes full lyrics
  • Run time is approximately 4:40

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


🎶 “Three Little Birds” Extended Mellow Version

Key features of this version:

  • This piano solo arrangement is modeled after the mellow cover version by Kasey Musgraves
  • Includes extended solo sections
  • 9 total pages
  • Includes full lyrics
  • Run time is approximately 6:00

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


🎶 “Three Little Birds” Easy Piano: Mellow Version

Key features of this version:

  • This piano solo arrangement is modeled after the mellow cover version by Kasey Musgraves
  • Suitable for late beginners & early intermediates
  • 5 total pages
  • Includes lyrics
  • Run time is approximately 6:00

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


🎹 Looking for more Mild & Mellow piano sheet music?


👋 Did I miss one of your favorites? I’m always open to requests so drop me a comment!



Jennifer Eklund
Written by Jennifer Eklund
Jennifer Eklund holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music from California State University, Long Beach. She is an avid arranger, composer, and author of the Piano Pronto® method books series as well as a wide variety of supplemental songbooks. She is also a Signature Artist with Musicnotes.com with a large catalog of popular music titles for musicians of all levels.

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