He was
born and reared in the northern panhandle of Amarillo, Texas (see the map
here), so that’s where we begin to see the man known as Hank Fenn. It’s
certainly not where he was confined, however, especially when considering one
of his many songs, “Let Us Worship”. And, he’s traveled even further since 2016
than his song took him. Some might say this last part of his trek has been tragic
and premature, although his spiritual family would say his most recent journey’s
destination has made it joyous. You see, that’s how a discussion around Hank
might sound, as it would for anyone so gifted who dies at the age of 49. If
Hank were here, would it be safe to say that he’d want those thinking about him
to celebrate the meaning and musical rhythm of the words he wrote as a 28-year
old, some 20 years before what he penned came to fruition for himself?
Hank Fenn had
musical arms that extended in two directions in his own life, and which then
expanded much wider and broader than even he might have imagined by the time he
earned his reward. By the 1990s, Hank was deep into a singing group known as
Echo Music Ministry that he had formed with three friends in 1989 in the Texas
(including Amarillo and Dallas) and the Mobile, Alabama areas. Hank was also
writing songs for the Acapella Company, including ‘Let Us Worship’ by 1995;
this was, someone might say, his most noteworthy accomplishment, a song that
has traveled globally, according to what was written about Hank in the wake of
his untimely departure. The same resource shows how another of Hank’s songs
(“Lord, We Worship Your Name”) has been adopted in the nation of Ghana by a
local singing group. One can imagine that as a 28-year old, Fenn must have been
motivated with the same goal when he wrote ‘Let Us Worship’ – to spread the
message contained in its few verses as far as possible on this planet. While
the specific episode that spurred Hank’s brainchild is unknown, we can deduce
something from what he’s left us in his words, notes, and musical beat. It’s an
energetic enterprise that Hank invented, one that matches what he evidently
felt and wanted those joining in to sense as well. The verbs he chose –
‘worship’, ‘sing’, ‘lift’ (‘your hands’), and ‘glorify’ are not new in the
Christian lexicon, but Hank employed a vigorous tempo in his creation that
spurs a festive attitude from those who sing it. Its rendering creates a mood,
a hand-clapping invitation that calls participants to cast off inhibitions.
‘Are you happy and excited to know Him?’, Hank might have said as he called
others to sing ‘Let Us Worship’. Zeal for knowing God and thanking Him for His
kingdom are sentiments, in any language, that demand a dynamic response. Hank
had figured this out in 1995.
Hank Fenn must have had his moments when things weren’t
going well, inducing some blasé or depression. Hank had a family, including
four children, and they’d probably share that their dad wasn’t 100% upbeat in
every waking moment. Name one father of four that’s always ‘on’! We can safely
assume that Hank went to his bible at times for answers, perhaps including
Psalm 95, which is sometimes used as a scriptural reference for Hank’s ‘Let Us
Worship’. The psalmist had a formula for getting outta the dumps: singing,
especially for joy (v. 1). This concept must have stuck with Hank, too, and
he’d probably still be urging you and me to adopt this approach. You think he’s
doing this even now as he looks down at us who today sing his creation?
See the following obituary article about the author: https://christianchronicle.org/voices-only-wednesday-in-memory-of-hank-fenn/
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