Wise was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up amongst a religious family; his father owned a Christian bookstore and his mother was a choir director. Wise joined the church choir as a child and grew up with classical and gospel music as a primary influence.
He attended the University of the Arts and sang with a couple of neo-soul bands in Philadelphia, before re-locating to New York City where he started working with Robin Carolan of Tri Angle Records. The blisters EP was released in September 2016 with previously available songs 'flickering', 'blisters' and 'four ethers' , alongside 'penance' and 'redemption'. The EP was co-written and produced with The Haxan Cloak.
Wise is openly gay and from a young age used gospel music to express his sexuality.
http://tri-anglerecords.com/serpentwithfeet
penance
SERPENTWITHFEET Lyrics
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While I model my anger after the sun's disregard
Enemies gather to dance with me
Who is so impatient with karma?
Who would block my wicked reward?
And shower me with their blindness with a love far too ripened?
Have mercies in retrograde
Judgment has run from my door
Swarms of flies have brought honey
And much much more for me to be ashamed of
My evil has not been apraised
Have mercies in retrograde
Have mercies in retrograde
Oh
, SERPENTWITHFEET's song "penance" is a hauntingly beautiful reflection on the artist's own inner turmoil and struggle with self-forgiveness. The lyrics suggest that even though the artist acknowledges his flaws and wickedness, he finds it difficult to accept mercy or forgiveness. The first line, "Somehow though I am unkind grace flirts with me," shows how the artist recognizes that he is unworthy of grace but receives it nonetheless. He compares himself to the sun, a powerful and destructive force, and wonders who would dare block his wicked desires or try to offer him mercy instead.
The second verse describes how the artist has shut himself off from judgment and allowed himself to indulge in his own wrongdoing. The metaphor of swarms of flies bringing honey suggests that even though he is surrounded by temptation and sin, he is able to find pleasure in his own darkness. However, he ultimately feels shame for his actions and wishes that his evil had not gone unnoticed.
The repeated refrain of "Have mercies in retrograde" is a plea for mercy or forgiveness to come back to him, the way a planet can appear to move backwards in retrograde. Overall, "penance" is a deeply introspective and emotional exploration of one's own limitations and desire for repentance.
Line by Line Meaning
Somehow though I am unkind grace flirts with me
Despite my unkind nature, I feel like I am being favored by grace.
While I model my anger after the sun's disregard
I am replicating the sun's behavior of being indifferent to everything, by channeling my anger.
Enemies gather to dance with me
My enemies are approaching me, willing to engage with me in a dance.
Who is so impatient with karma?
I am eager to get the karma of my evil deeds, but it seems like it's taking too long.
Who would block my wicked reward?
I am questioning who would stop me from getting what I think I deserve for my wicked actions.
And shower me with their blindness with a love far too ripened?
Who would show me love that is too excessive and misguided, despite my faults?
Have mercies in retrograde
I am requesting mercy from the universe, although it seems like I am not worthy.
Judgment has run from my door
I feel like I am escaping judgment for my wrongdoing.
Swarms of flies have brought honey
My bad deeds have attracted benefits, even though they were not deserved.
And much much more for me to be ashamed of
I know that I have done even more wrong things that I should feel ashamed about.
My evil has not been apraised
I have not been judged for my evil deeds, even though I know they are bad.
Have mercies in retrograde
I am still pleading for mercy, even though I feel like I don't deserve it.
Oh
An exclamation of emotion or realization.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jonathan Wise
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind