SRILANKA, Dec. 4 -- According to Tony Gilbert, a friend of Bob Marley, the great singer and songwriter was inspired by things around him. He remembers three canaries who would come by the windowsill at Hope Road and believes that they inspired Marley to write 'Three little birds.' There are other theories, but that's not important.

Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun Three little birds pitch by my doorstep

Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true.

A simple observation of an everyday occurrence, at least at face value. And Marley extrapolates thus, 'don't worry about a thing / 'cos every little thing gonna be alright.'

If only!

People buried. Homes buried. Villages buried. Bridges and roads destroyed. Homeless. Hungr...