400 Years
Micahtron Lyrics
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How many more?
Of my people gotta die up in this war
Then been lynching
And killing us like a sport
In the midst of revolution
What your allies hoping for?
In the midst of revolution
A closed mouth don't get fed
That's exactly what they taught us
We out here fighting
For our sons & our daughters
It's either hell or high waters
Nothing can hold us
No justice No peace
Defund white supremacy
Defund the police
Martin Luther had a dream
And they killed my nigga too
Cause they knew he was a king
Screaming let our freedom ring
And we shall overcome
While he held the bible
Staring down the Barrel of the gun
One shot the man's gone
No hope to move on
So we burning cities down
And take whatever we want
Look
We ain't ask to be black
But we proud as a bitch
With our fair and nappy hair
Melanin skin rich
Thick ass and full lips
Fried chicken and hot grits
Watermelon and hot chips
You fucking culture vultures
Imitating our music and style
But don't support us
Wanna rape our young sons and
Our beautiful daughters
Then turn around and call us niggas
Like y'all ain't just want us
Over 400 years
How many more
Of my people gotta die up in this war
Then been lynching
And killing us like a sport
In the midst of revolution
What your allies hoping for?
In the midst of revolution
Do your allies open doors?
A closed mouth don't get fed
That's exactly what they taught us
We out here fighting
For our sons & our daughters
It's either hell or high waters
Nothing can hold us
We birth leaders and they kill em
So ain't no hope for the people
If it ain't a voice to lead them
Bleed em
On the street
CNN news feed
Record repost to social media
And then repeat it
Wake up and go to sleep
We dream the enemy
Finding peace in the streets
Is all we wanna see
But
Not until the revolution has diseased
Cause they got us face down
On our necks til we can't breathe and
Tear gas in our face
So we cant see them
Sneak attack
Undercovers march
Like we don't peep them
My people screaming
Fuck the police dem
Cause everyday they Fucking us up
Then say we need them
Defund the whole system
And give us back our freedom
Oh wait we never had that
Cause we was only heathens
That's why we call upon Jesus
The only name that we can drop
To try to save us from the demons
400 years
How many more
Of my people gotta die up in this war
Then been lynching
And killing us like a sport
In the midst of revolution
What your allies hoping for?
What your allies hoping for?
The lyrics of Micahtron's song "400 Years" express the ongoing struggle and oppression faced by black people throughout history. The repetition of the phrase "Over 400 years, how many more?" serves as a reminder of the long-lasting effects of slavery and systemic racism. Micahtron questions how many more lives need to be lost before significant change occurs.
The lyrics also highlight the violence and discrimination faced by the black community. References to lynching, killing, and the dehumanization of black people emphasize the brutality they have endured. The line "In the midst of revolution, do your allies open doors?" questions the role of allies in supporting the fight for equality. It asks whether allies truly open doors for black voices to be heard and for change to be enacted.
The call for justice and equality is emphasized, with phrases like "No justice, no peace" and "Defund white supremacy" and "Defund the police." Micahtron makes references to Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream of freedom and equality, paralleling his assassination with the continued oppression faced by the black community. The lyrics also address the cultural appropriation and exploitation that black people have experienced, with a defiant declaration of pride in black culture and heritage.
The song overall showcases the frustration, resilience, and determination of the black community, who have been fighting for their rights and equality for centuries.
Line by Line Meaning
Over 400 years
For over four centuries
How many more?
How many additional lives?
Of my people gotta die up in this war
Do my people have to continue to die in this ongoing struggle?
Then been lynching
They have been lynching us
And killing us like a sport
Treating our killings as a form of entertainment
In the midst of revolution
During this time of revolutionary change
What your allies hoping for?
What do your allies expect?
In the midst of revolution
During this time of revolutionary change
Do your allies open doors?
Do your allies provide opportunities?
A closed mouth don't get fed
If you don't speak up, you won't receive what you need
That's exactly what they taught us
That's the message they have instilled in us
We out here fighting
We are out here struggling
For our sons & our daughters
To secure a better future for our children
It's either hell or high waters
We are faced with extremely difficult circumstances
Nothing can hold us
Nothing can restrain us
No justice No peace
Without justice, there will be no peace
Defund white supremacy
Reduce the financial support for white supremacy
Defund the police
Reduce the funding for law enforcement agencies
Martin Luther had a dream
Martin Luther King Jr. had a vision for equality
And they killed my nigga too
And they also killed my fellow black man
Cause they knew he was a king
Because they recognized his leadership and influence
Screaming let our freedom ring
Demanding that our freedom be realized
And we shall overcome
And we will triumph
While he held the bible
As he clutched the Bible
Staring down the Barrel of the gun
Facing the imminent threat of a gun
One shot the man's gone
A single shot took his life away
No hope to move on
No hope to continue forward
So we burning cities down
Therefore, we are setting cities on fire
And take whatever we want
And seizing whatever we desire
Look
Listen closely
We ain't ask to be black
We didn't choose to be black
But we proud as a bitch
But we are fiercely proud
With our fair and nappy hair
With our diverse and textured hair
Melanin skin rich
With richly melanated skin
Thick ass and full lips
With voluptuous curves and full lips
Fried chicken and hot grits
Enjoying our cultural cuisine
Watermelon and hot chips
Indulging in our favorite snacks
You fucking culture vultures
You exploitative vultures imitating our culture
Imitating our music and style
Copying our music and fashion
But don't support us
But refusing to support us
Wanna rape our young sons and
Desiring to harm our young sons
Our beautiful daughters
Our precious daughters
Then turn around and call us niggas
Then disrespectfully label us as racial slurs
Like y'all ain't just want us
As if you didn't desire us all along
We birth leaders and they kill em
We bring forth leaders, and they are murdered
So ain't no hope for the people
Consequently, there is no hope for our community
If it ain't a voice to lead them
Unless we have a strong leader
Bleed em
Causing them to suffer immensely
On the street
Out in public
CNN news feed
Broadcasted on CNN news
Record repost to social media
Record and share on social media platforms
And then repeat it
And continuously circulate it
Wake up and go to sleep
This is our daily reality
We dream the enemy
Our dreams are haunted by the enemy
Finding peace in the streets
Seeking peace on the streets
Is all we wanna see
It's the only thing we desire
But
However
Not until the revolution has diseased
Not until the revolution has eradicated the system
Cause they got us face down
Because they have forced us down
On our necks til we can't breathe
Pressing our necks, depriving us of breath
and
and
Tear gas in our face
Exposing us to tear gas in our faces
So we cant see them
Blinding our vision of them
Sneak attack
Engaging in surprise attacks
Undercovers march
Undercover agents march alongside
Like we don't peep them
As if we don't notice their presence
My people screaming
My community is passionately shouting
Fuck the police dem
Expressing strong disdain for the police
Cause everyday they Fucking us up
Because they oppress and harm us daily
Then say we need them
And then claim that we require their presence
Defund the whole system
Withdraw financial support for the entire system
And give us back our freedom
And restore our freedom to us
Oh wait we never had that
But wait, we have never truly had it
Cause we was only heathens
Because we were merely seen as savages
That's why we call upon Jesus
That is why we invoke the name of Jesus
The only name that we can drop
The only name we can call upon
To try to save us from the demons
In an attempt to protect us from the evils
400 years
For over four centuries
How many more
How many additional lives?
Of my people gotta die up in this war
Do my people have to continue to die in this ongoing struggle?
Then been lynching
They have been lynching us
And killing us like a sport
Treating our killings as a form of entertainment
In the midst of revolution
During this time of revolutionary change
What your allies hoping for?
What do your allies expect?
What your allies hoping for?
What do your allies expect?
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Tramicah Dempsey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind