He sang as a child in the choir of the Chapel Royal as one of the earliest groups of choristers there after the Restoration of King Charles II.
[1] Following the disruption of musical activities at St Paul's Cathedral as a consequence of the Great Fire of London, Wise was appointed almoner and Master of the Choristers in January 1687, on the recommendation of King James II.
The watchman met him while he was yet boiling with rage, and commanding him to stand and give an account of himself, he struck the guardian of the peace to the ground, who in return aimed a blow at his assailant with his bill, which broke his skull, of the consequence whereof he died.
[2] As well as Service Settings, his compositions include anthems such as:[4] Wise also composed some catches and at least one once famous drinking song, Old Chiron.
He often composed for the unusual combination of a duet of bass and treble voices – for instance, in Old Chiron and The Ways of Zion do mourn.