Final answer:
The refrain in 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' expresses the sorrow of slavery, represents longing for freedom and divine salvation, and fosters a sense of community among the enslaved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The refrain in the spiritual 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' is crucial for several reasons.
Firstly, it serves as an emotional expression, combining the deep sorrow of slavery with the hopeful longing for freedom and divine intervention. Secondly, the repeated refrain highlights the central theme of the song, which is the anticipation of being carried to a place of salvation—a 'home' that could be understood both as the biblical Promised Land and as the free North during the era of the Underground Railroad.
Lastly, the frequent invocation of the song's chorus reinforces the communal aspect of the spiritual, fostering a shared identity and comfort among the enslaved individuals who sang it as part of their worship and daily life.