Rise up each morning smiling

Bob Marley and the Wailers

Inspired by Bob Marley and the Wailers (1977). Three Little Birds [Song]. On Exodus. Island Records.

Photo by Kuhan Baktharaman on Unsplash

Also commonly known as Don’t Worry About A Thing this popular reggae tune has been covered by many artists. Equally there are many interpretations of what inspired Marley to write it and what it means.

With lyrics about not worrying and smiling as arising at the tune of birds, it undoubtedly feels a very positive tune. But what about the message of saying everything is going to be OK? Isn’t that just wishful thinking?

It seems to me the song speaks a lot about choosing a positive perspective. Perhaps this was influenced by the fact that Marley often observed birds singing on his windowseal at Hope Road.

Seeking meaning in the song using this direction leads to an important question, how can we not worry when our experience tells us that often everything isn’t as we might want it. Again speculation, but the album this was from Exodus was full of Biblical imagery. And, sure enough, Jesus spoke of how the birds didn’t reap, sow or store, but had all they needed.

This got me thinking; what if we named those three birds being, doing and attaining. We seem to spend a lot of our lives getting things (or even knowledge), doing stuff and trying to be something. None of these things are, of themselves, bad. Yet how much do these three birds make us anxious and worried.

Now let’s rename the birds. This time authentic, present and content. When I stop trying to be and just am I know I feel more at ease. Similarly, when I stop distracting myself with tasks and simply appreciate the present moment that also helps me remain calm. Both of these experiences can lead to a sense of contentment – not needing this to be any different than they are. In a sense, a declaration that everything is alright.

So, whilst there are a number of interpretations for this tune, to me, it’s a great reminder to stop creating the complexity that human desires often lead us to and to instead start appreciating the beauty of the world that is and all this provides.