We trying to buy back our 40 acres

from Kanye West (Ft. Syleena Johnson) – All Falls Down Lyrics on Rap Genius

“40 acres and a mule” was the promise of compensation made to freed African American slaves after the Civil War. During Reconstruction, a lot of promises that the federal government had made to freed slaves were broken, so Kanye is saying that he has to be materialistic to get the socioeconomic benefits his ancestors were promised but never received

To help improve the meaning of these lyrics, visit "All Falls Down" by Kanye West (Ft. Syleena Johnson) Lyrics and leave a comment on the lyrics box