WiseMan
Frank Ocean Lyrics

Wiseman closes mouth
A wise person remains silent and refrains from speaking unnecessarily.

Madman closes fist
Someone who is mentally unstable clenches their hand into a fist, potentially expressing frustration or aggression.

Young man shows his age
A young person's actions and behavior reflect their immaturity and lack of experience.

Judge man named it sin
A person in a position of authority declares something as morally wrong or sinful.

Bad man don' exist no
There isn't a person who is inherently wicked or malicious.

No evil man exists
There is no individual who embodies pure malevolence or wickedness.

Good man don't exist no
There isn't a person who is entirely virtuous or morally upright.

No righteous man exists
There is no individual who is completely just or morally righteous.

Sad man cannot cry in place where man can see
Someone who is feeling sorrowful cannot openly display their emotions in a public setting.

Never witnessed father weep
The artist has never seen their father shed tears, possibly suggesting a lack of vulnerability and emotional expression.

This old man thought it weak
An elderly person considers crying as a sign of weakness or fragility.

But strong man don't exist
There is no individual who possesses unwavering strength or invincibility.

No undying man exists
There isn't a person who is immortal or incapable of dying.

Weak man don't exist no
There is no individual who is entirely feeble or lacking strength.

Just flesh and blood exists
People are merely mortal beings with physical bodies.

But your mother would be proud of you
Despite the absence of universally virtuous or strong individuals, the artist believes that the person's mother would be proud of them.

I bet your mother would be proud of you
The artist expresses certainty that the person's mother would feel a sense of pride in their actions.

The beast will crawl this earth
Metaphorically, wickedness and darkness will always exist in the world.

Then fall in the dirt to feed the crows
Ultimately, those who exhibit evil or malicious behavior will meet their downfall and face consequences.

They'll rip apart his flesh
The consequences for one's evil actions will be severe and involve immense suffering.

Til all that's left is glorious bone
Once the wicked individual is stripped of everything, only their bare bones remain as a reminder of their existence.

So you'll bury your own
People will have to confront and take responsibility for the consequences of their own actions.

Too vain
Individuals are excessively proud and overly concerned about their own appearance or achievements.

You saw it unfold
The person witnessed and observed the events as they unfolded.

What you know
Acknowledging one's own knowledge and understanding of the situation.

And you claimed all you could hold
The person greedily took ownership and control of everything they possibly could.

Until death did you part from the mess you made
Only death could finally separate the person from the chaotic and destructive consequences of their actions.

Primate sharpens tool
An early human ancestor hones their tools as a means of survival and progress.

To survive and thrive in the jungle
The ability to adapt and flourish in a challenging and competitive environment like a jungle.

Maybe hearts were made to pump blood
Perhaps the primary purpose of a heart is simply to circulate blood throughout the body.

Maybe lungs were made for flood
Possibly, lungs were designed to enable breathing, even in difficult or overwhelming circumstances.

I won't blunt my blade for cut these chains
The artist refuses to compromise their determination and strength in order to break free from metaphorical chains of oppression.

Rather let my limbs be dragged through mud
The individual would prefer to endure hardships and difficulties than compromise their principles or integrity.

You're my brother but your eyes are cold
Although there is a familial bond, the person's brother appears distant and devoid of warmth or empathy.

You're my sister but your womb is bare
Despite being siblings, the person's sister is unable to conceive or bear children.

I bet our mother would be proud of you
The artist asserts that their shared mother would feel a sense of pride towards the person and their actions, despite their flaws.

I bet our mother would be proud of you
Reiterating the belief that their mother would express pride and approval towards the person and their choices.

Bad man don't exist
There is no inherently wicked or immoral individual.

No evil man exists
There isn't a person who is purely driven by malevolence or wickedness.

I know good man don't exist
The artist is aware that there is no individual who is completely virtuous or morally upright.

No righteous man exists
There is no person who embodies perfect justice or moral righteousness.

Strong man don't exist
There isn't an individual who possesses unyielding strength or invincibility.

No undying man exists
There is no person who is immortal or incapable of perishing.

Weak man don't exist
There isn't an individual who is entirely feeble or lacking in strength.

No just flesh and blood exists
Humans are only mortal beings composed of physical bodies.