I find it interesting that unlike most such lengthy discussions here, this one has done little to resolve the origins of this song, aside from eliminating a couple of red herrings. We haven't even resolved the correct name of the song, variously given as "Bright Morning Star", "Bright Morning Stars", or "Bright Morning Stars Are Rising". It is variously described as an African-American spiritual, a product of the Anglo-Celtic oral tradition, and perhaps Native American in origin. There also seems to be no agreement as to whether it is a religious song, despite referring specifically to praying and going to heaven. I suppose the religiousness issue is also why some are so attached to the idea of making Star singular (and including the song as a Christmas carol). I.e., in addition to Rev. 22:16 and the concept of Christ as a bright star, there is obviously the possible cultural reference to the "star in the east on Christmas morn", although not so kindly specific in this song. But few folksy singers seem to want to sing it that way. I assume it is correct that the Lomaxes collected or at least published the song in 1925, so that may in fact be the oldest verified origin known today (Stars plural). The idea that the Native American Church had the song upon its founding in 1918 is possibly baseless and at least poorly researched. Earlier references appear to me to be the usual speculation about the antebellum origins of spirituals that mysteriously lie dormant for decades, presumably not substantially changed in all that time. That would be a first in my experience (other than the well-documented "Let My People Go"). So for me, the song is with plural Stars (but no "Rising" in the title) and dating to 1925, unless someone can come up with something more substantial.