No Woman No Cry Chords: Bob Marley

"No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley uses four chords and a slow reggae feel. The chord progression is C-G-Am-F (the I-V-vi-IV in C major), one of the most-used progressions in pop history. The song works on acoustic guitar without any of the percussive reggae chops that "Three Little Birds" requires.

The Chords

• C major
• G major
• Am
• F major (Mini-F or Fmaj7 work)

The progression: C-G-Am-F-C-G-F-C, repeated. The verse and chorus use the same chords with slight rhythmic variations.

The Strumming Pattern

For the slow acoustic version: down-down-up-up-down-up at about 75 BPM. The song moves slowly enough that you have time to settle into each chord.

For a more reggae-flavored version, add subtle off-beat emphasis on beats 2 and 4. The song doesn't require the full reggae chop.

The F Workaround

F appears in every cycle. If the full barre F is too much, use Fmaj7 or Mini-F. The song's gentle character isn't disrupted by the simpler chord.

Common Mistakes

• Tempo too fast. The song is slow. About 75 BPM. Don't rush.
• Strumming too aggressively. Gentle strums, not power strums.
• Skipping the F. Even with substitutions, the F-flavored chord is necessary for the IV in the progression.

FAQ: No Woman No Cry Questions

What key is "No Woman No Cry" in?

C major. The Live at the Lyceum version (the most-played) is in C with no capo.

Is "No Woman No Cry" easy to play?

Yes. Four chords. Slow tempo. The F is the only barre challenge, and substitutions work fine.

Do I need to play it with reggae rhythm?

No. The acoustic version works with a standard folk strum. Reggae rhythm is optional.

What's the chord progression?

I-V-vi-IV in C major: C-G-Am-F. One of the most common chord progressions in pop history.

How can I avoid the F chord?

Use Fmaj7 or Mini-F as substitutes. Both contain the essential F-major flavor without requiring the full barre.