One Day by Matisyahu is a member of the “one” club of ʻukulele reggae songs – simple, four-chord reggae songs that are easy to play on the ʻukulele.
One Day, One Love, One Drop, etc… Matisyahu delivers an upbeat smash hit here and as predicted, the One Day ʻukulele chords are simple and fun to play.
I first heard this song covered by Barry Flanagan from Hapa, but shortly after saw a beautiful video that featured the original. The gifts of kindness and true potential of people portrayed stuck with me and I finally took the time to get familiar with the words. It’s now one of my favorite songs to sing and teach.
Video Lesson:
Here’s a lesson video I made geared toward the beginning ʻukulele player, but the song would be a great addition to anybody’s performing or teaching repertoire.
Since the One Day chords are so simple, it’s nice to have some more options to decorate your ʻukulele part. When I play this song I like to utilize the notes that naturally fit around the chords. By adding just one different note while you play each chord really adds a lot to the song. There’s more about this idea here (part 2).
C G Am
Sometimes I lay under the moon
F
And thank God I'm breathing
C G Am
Then I pray don't take me soon
F
'Cause I am here for a reason
Pre-Chorus:
C G
Sometimes in my tears I drown
Am F
But I never let it get me down
G G
So when negativity surrounds
Am F
I know some day it'll all turn around
Chorus:
C G
All my life I've been waiting for
Am
I've been praying for
F
For the people to say
C G
That we don't wanna fight no more
Am
There will be no more wars
F
And our children will play
C G Am F
One day, one day, one day...
C G Am F
One day, one day, one day...
C G Am
It's not about win or lose,
F
We all lose
C
When they feed on the souls of the innocent
G
Blood-drenched pavement
Am F
Keep on moving though the waters stay raging
C G Am F
In this maze you can lose your way (your way)
C
It might drive you crazy but
G Am F
don't let it faze you no way (no way)
Pre-Chorus>
Chorus>
Bridge:
C/
One day this all will change
G/
Treat people the same
Am/
Stop with the violence
F/
Down with the hate
C/
One day we'll all be free
G/
And proud to be
Am/
Under the same sun
F/
Singing songs of freedom like
C G Am F
Woy yo...
C G Am F
Woy yo yo yo...
Chorus>