A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Refrain
REFRAIN (Fr. Refrain; Germ. Reimkehr). This word is used in music to denote what in poetry is called a 'burden,' i.e. a short sentence or phrase which recurs in every verse or stanza. It was probably first employed in music in order to give roundness and unity to the melody, and was then transferred to the poetry which was written especially for music. Such collections as the 'Échos du temps passé' give an abundance of examples in French music, where songs with refrains are most frequently to be found. 'Lilliburlero' may be cited as one English instance out of many. [See vol. ii. p. 138.] [App. p.769 "See Schubert's 'Vier Refrainlieder,' op. 95."]
[ J. A. F. M. ]