Bright Morning Star
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This is a traditional Appalachian spiritual, likely dating from the 19th century. The first audio version was collected by Alan and Elizabeth Lomax in Harlan County, Kentucky in 1937, as sung by G.D. Vowell, under the title "Bright Moving Stars are Rising."
There is some debate as to the exact origins of the hymn, as it was copyrighted in the United States 1918 by the Native American Church, though other documentation points to its origins as a plantation work song (a common origin for spirituals).
It is often sung as "bright morning stars", leading to some debate between singers over which version is "correct".
Lyrics
These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns on their livestreams.
Bright morning star a-rising
Bright morning star a-rising
Bright morning star a-rising
Day is a-breaking, in my soul
Oh where are our dear fathers
Oh where are our dear fathers
Oh where are our dear fathers
Day is a-breaking, in my soul
Some are down in the valley praying
Some are down in the valley praying
Some are down in the valley praying
Day is a-breaking, in my soul
Some have gone to heaven shouting
They have gone to heaven shouting
They have gone to heaven shouting
Day is a-breaking, in my soul
Bright morning star a-rising
Bright morning star a-rising
Bright morning star a-rising
Day is a-breaking, in my soul
Recordings
Full Band Streams
- TLJ & Friends! | Natalie Holmes (27 Nov 2019)
- Welcome to a New Decade with The Longest Johns (22 Jan 2020)
- It's hot! Stream was a bad choice... Or was it? (24 Jun 2020)
- 100k Subscriber Thank You Stream (19 Aug 2020)
- Stream of Mushroom Soup (A day early to fit around touring) (23 Nov 2021)
- Stream me up Scotty! (23 Aug 2022)
- Stream Lantern (27 Sep 2023)
- Streaming John Malkovich (11 Feb 2026)