Jimmy Swaggart, the legendary evangelist whose voice once thundered through revival tents and television screens across the world, has died at the age of 90. But it wasn’t the preaching, the scandals, or the headlines that people remembered on the day of his funeral — it was the final song.
Held inside the sanctuary of Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, the memorial was attended by thousands — and watched by millions more across the globe. From faithful congregants to lifelong critics, all gathered for one reason: to say goodbye to a man whose life was nothing short of a spiritual storm — loud, messy, passionate, and unmistakably human.
The funeral was filled with scripture, solemn reflection, and stories from those who knew him best. But as the service drew to a close, the lights dimmed, and a familiar melody began to rise — one that brought every voice in the room to stillness.
“There Is a River.”
The very song Jimmy had sung countless times.
Only this time… it was sung for him.
His longtime pianist, hands shaking, took to the keys one last time. A single spotlight fell on the grand piano — empty except for a white rose and a photograph of Jimmy in his younger days, Bible in hand, eyes to the heavens.
Then came the voices.
Donnie Swaggart. Frances. Friends. Choir members from the old crusade days.
Softly at first… then soaring.
“There is a river, and it flows from deep within…”
By the final verse, the sanctuary was weeping. And somewhere — in the mystery between heaven and earth — it felt like Jimmy was singing along.
“It wasn’t a performance,” one mourner said. “It was a passing of the mantle… through music.”
Because Jimmy Swaggart was never just a preacher. He was a man who sang through joy, failure, redemption, and revival. And in the end, it was only fitting that he be remembered not by the words he preached, but by the song that outlived them all.
He is gone.
But the river still flows.
And the song — his song — still plays.
