Lyric discussion by anthonyh 

Cover art for 400 Years lyrics by Bob Marley and the Wailers

This song refers a time slavery both physical (17th to 19th century) and mental (20th century). Also refers to the time Israel spent in captivity in Babylon.

Actually, for what its worth, the Babylonian captivity was about 70 years. 400 years was spent in Egypt so it goes. But also is paralleled by the roughly 400 years of slavery under the colonial era 16th to 19th Centuries. Awesome song by the way :-) Peace