<refrain>

Recurring lyrics, especially at the end of each verse or stanza of a poem or song lyrics; a chorus.
Module
MEI.lyrics
Attributes
class, color, copyof, corresp, facs, follows, fontfam, fontname, fontsize, fontstyle, fontweight, label, n, next, place, precedes, prev, resp, sameas, synch, to, translit, type, vo, voltasym, x, xml:base, xml:id, xml:lang, y
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
color(optional)Used to indicate visual appearance. Do not confuse this with the musical term 'color' as used in pre-CMN notation. Value conforms to data.COLOR.
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
facs(optional)Permits the current element to reference a facsimile surface or image zone which corresponds to it. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
fontfam(optional)Contains the name of a font-family. Value conforms to data.FONTFAMILY.
fontname(optional)Holds the name of a font. Value conforms to data.FONTNAME.
fontsize(optional)Indicates the size of a font expressed in printers' points, i.e., 1/72nd of an inch, relative terms, e.g., "small", "larger", etc., or percentage values relative to "normal" size, e.g., "125%". Value conforms to data.FONTSIZE.
fontstyle(optional)Records the style of a font, i.e, italic, oblique, or normal. Value conforms to data.FONTSTYLE.
fontweight(optional)Used to indicate bold type. Value conforms to data.FONTWEIGHT.
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it's attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value of datatype string.
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element's position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
place(optional)Captures the placement of the item with respect to the staff with which it is associated. Value conforms to data.STAFFREL.
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text's transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
to(optional)Records a timestamp adjustment of a feature's programmatically-determined location in terms of musical time; that is, beats. Value conforms to data.TSTAMPOFFSET.
translit(optional)Specifies the transliteration technique used. Value of datatype NMTOKEN.
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
vo(optional)Records the vertical adjustment of a feature's programmatically-determined location in terms of staff interline distance; that is, in units of 1/2 the distance between adjacent staff lines. Value conforms to data.MEASUREMENTREL.
voltasym(optional)Specifies the symbol used to group lyrics. Allowed values are: "brace" (Curved symbol, i.e., {.), "bracket" (Square symbol, i.e., [, but with curved/angled top and bottom segments.), "bracketsq" (Square symbol, i.e., [, with horizontal top and bottom segments.), "line" (Line symbol, i.e., |, (wide) line without top and bottom curved/horizontal segments.), "none" (Grouping symbol missing.)
x(optional)Encodes an x coordinate for a feature in an output coordinate system. When it is necessary to record the placement of a feature in a facsimile image, use the facs attribute. Value of datatype decimal.
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value of datatype ID.
xml:lang(optional)Identifies the language of the element's content. The values for this attribute are language 'tags' as defined in BCP 47. All language tags that make use of private use sub-tags must be documented in a corresponding language element in the MEI header whose id attribute is the same as the language tag's value. Value of datatype language.
y(optional)Encodes a y coordinate for a feature in an output coordinate system. When it is necessary to record the placement of a feature in a facsimile image, use the facs attribute. Value of datatype decimal.
(MEI.shared) Attributes common to many elements.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that form the basis of the att.common class.
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that uniquely identify an element.
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value of datatype ID.
(MEI.shared)
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it's attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value of datatype string.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that specify element-to-element relationships.
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes used to supply a number-like designation for an element.
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element's position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
(MEI.shared) Attributes capturing information regarding responsibility for some aspect of the text's creation, transcription, editing, or encoding.
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text's transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes which can be used to classify features.
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes which can be used to classify features.
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.facsimile) Attributes that associate a feature corresponding with all or part of an image.
facs(optional)Permits the current element to reference a facsimile surface or image zone which corresponds to it. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Language attributes common to text elements.
xml:lang(optional)Identifies the language of the element's content. The values for this attribute are language 'tags' as defined in BCP 47. All language tags that make use of private use sub-tags must be documented in a corresponding language element in the MEI header whose id attribute is the same as the language tag's value. Value of datatype language.
translit(optional)Specifies the transliteration technique used. Value of datatype NMTOKEN.
(MEI.lyrics) Logical domain attributes. The n attribute should be used for verse numbers. Numbers need not be consecutive; they may also be expressed as ranges, e.g. 2-3,6.
(MEI.visual) Visual domain attributes.
(MEI.shared) Visual color attributes.
color(optional)Used to indicate visual appearance. Do not confuse this with the musical term 'color' as used in pre-CMN notation. Value conforms to data.COLOR.
(MEI.shared) Attributes capturing placement information.
place(optional)Captures the placement of the item with respect to the staff with which it is associated. Value conforms to data.STAFFREL.
(MEI.shared) Typographical attributes.
fontfam(optional)Contains the name of a font-family. Value conforms to data.FONTFAMILY.
fontname(optional)Holds the name of a font. Value conforms to data.FONTNAME.
fontsize(optional)Indicates the size of a font expressed in printers' points, i.e., 1/72nd of an inch, relative terms, e.g., "small", "larger", etc., or percentage values relative to "normal" size, e.g., "125%". Value conforms to data.FONTSIZE.
fontstyle(optional)Records the style of a font, i.e, italic, oblique, or normal. Value conforms to data.FONTSTYLE.
fontweight(optional)Used to indicate bold type. Value conforms to data.FONTWEIGHT.
(MEI.shared) Horizontal offset attributes specified in terms of time.
to(optional)Records a timestamp adjustment of a feature's programmatically-determined location in terms of musical time; that is, beats. Value conforms to data.TSTAMPOFFSET.
(MEI.shared) Vertical offset attributes.
vo(optional)Records the vertical adjustment of a feature's programmatically-determined location in terms of staff interline distance; that is, in units of 1/2 the distance between adjacent staff lines. Value conforms to data.MEASUREMENTREL.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that describe the symbol used to group volta elements.
voltasym(optional)Specifies the symbol used to group lyrics. Allowed values are: "brace" (Curved symbol, i.e., {.), "bracket" (Square symbol, i.e., [, but with curved/angled top and bottom segments.), "bracketsq" (Square symbol, i.e., [, with horizontal top and bottom segments.), "line" (Line symbol, i.e., |, (wide) line without top and bottom curved/horizontal segments.), "none" (Grouping symbol missing.)
(MEI.shared) Output coordinate attributes. Some elements may have their exact rendered *output* coordinates recorded. x and y attributes indicate where to place the rendered output. Recording the coordinates of a feature in a facsimile requires the use of the facs attribute.
x(optional)Encodes an x coordinate for a feature in an output coordinate system. When it is necessary to record the placement of a feature in a facsimile image, use the facs attribute. Value of datatype decimal.
y(optional)Encodes a y coordinate for a feature in an output coordinate system. When it is necessary to record the placement of a feature in a facsimile image, use the facs attribute. Value of datatype decimal.
(MEI.gestural) Gestural domain attributes.
(MEI.analytical) Analytical domain attributes.
Facsimile component declarations.
facs(optional)Permits the current element to reference a facsimile surface or image zone which corresponds to it. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
color(optional)Used to indicate visual appearance. Do not confuse this with the musical term 'color' as used in pre-CMN notation. Value conforms to data.COLOR.
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
fontfam(optional)Contains the name of a font-family. Value conforms to data.FONTFAMILY.
fontname(optional)Holds the name of a font. Value conforms to data.FONTNAME.
fontsize(optional)Indicates the size of a font expressed in printers' points, i.e., 1/72nd of an inch, relative terms, e.g., "small", "larger", etc., or percentage values relative to "normal" size, e.g., "125%". Value conforms to data.FONTSIZE.
fontstyle(optional)Records the style of a font, i.e, italic, oblique, or normal. Value conforms to data.FONTSTYLE.
fontweight(optional)Used to indicate bold type. Value conforms to data.FONTWEIGHT.
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it's attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value of datatype string.
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element's position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
place(optional)Captures the placement of the item with respect to the staff with which it is associated. Value conforms to data.STAFFREL.
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text's transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
to(optional)Records a timestamp adjustment of a feature's programmatically-determined location in terms of musical time; that is, beats. Value conforms to data.TSTAMPOFFSET.
translit(optional)Specifies the transliteration technique used. Value of datatype NMTOKEN.
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
vo(optional)Records the vertical adjustment of a feature's programmatically-determined location in terms of staff interline distance; that is, in units of 1/2 the distance between adjacent staff lines. Value conforms to data.MEASUREMENTREL.
voltasym(optional)Specifies the symbol used to group lyrics. Allowed values are: "brace" (Curved symbol, i.e., {.), "bracket" (Square symbol, i.e., [, but with curved/angled top and bottom segments.), "bracketsq" (Square symbol, i.e., [, with horizontal top and bottom segments.), "line" (Line symbol, i.e., |, (wide) line without top and bottom curved/horizontal segments.), "none" (Grouping symbol missing.)
x(optional)Encodes an x coordinate for a feature in an output coordinate system. When it is necessary to record the placement of a feature in a facsimile image, use the facs attribute. Value of datatype decimal.
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value of datatype ID.
xml:lang(optional)Identifies the language of the element's content. The values for this attribute are language 'tags' as defined in BCP 47. All language tags that make use of private use sub-tags must be documented in a corresponding language element in the MEI header whose id attribute is the same as the language tag's value. Value of datatype language.
y(optional)Encodes a y coordinate for a feature in an output coordinate system. When it is necessary to record the placement of a feature in a facsimile image, use the facs attribute. Value of datatype decimal.
Member of
model.verseLikeGroups elements that contain a lyric verse.
Contained by
(MEI.lyrics) Groups elements that contain a lyric verse.
chordA simultaneous sounding of two or more notes in the same layer *with the same duration*.
noteA single pitched event.
(MEI.critapp) Groups elements that may appear as part of a musical variant.
(MEI.critapp) Groups elements that may appear as part of a textual or musical variant.
lem(lemma) – Contains the lemma, or base text, of a textual variation.
rdg(reading) – Contains a single reading within a textual variation.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements that may appear as part of editorial and transcription elements in music notation.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements that may appear as part of editorial and transcription elements.
abbr(abbreviation) – A generic element for 1) a shortened form of a word, including an acronym or 2) a shorthand notation.
add(addition) – Marks an addition to the text.
corr(correction) – Contains the correct form of an apparent erroneous passage.
damageContains an area of damage to the physical medium.
del(deletion) – Contains information deleted, marked as deleted, or otherwise indicated as superfluous or spurious in the copy text by an author, scribe, annotator, or corrector.
expan(expansion) – Contains the expansion of an abbreviation.
orig(original) – Contains material which is marked as following the original, rather than being normalized or corrected.
reg(regularization) – Contains material which has been regularized or normalized in some sense.
restoreIndicates restoration of material to an earlier state by cancellation of an editorial or authorial marking or instruction.
sicContains apparently incorrect or inaccurate material.
suppliedContains material supplied by the transcriber or editor for any reason.
unclearContains material that cannot be transcribed with certainty because it is illegible or inaudible in the source.
(MEI.neumes) Groups elements that may appear as part of the content of a syllable.
syllableNeume notation can be thought of as "neumed text". Therefore, the syllable element provides high-level organization in this repertoire.
Critical apparatus component declarations.
lem(lemma) – Contains the lemma, or base text, of a textual variation.
rdg(reading) – Contains a single reading within a textual variation.
Editorial and transcriptional component declarations.
abbr(abbreviation) – A generic element for 1) a shortened form of a word, including an acronym or 2) a shorthand notation.
add(addition) – Marks an addition to the text.
corr(correction) – Contains the correct form of an apparent erroneous passage.
damageContains an area of damage to the physical medium.
del(deletion) – Contains information deleted, marked as deleted, or otherwise indicated as superfluous or spurious in the copy text by an author, scribe, annotator, or corrector.
expan(expansion) – Contains the expansion of an abbreviation.
orig(original) – Contains material which is marked as following the original, rather than being normalized or corrected.
reg(regularization) – Contains material which has been regularized or normalized in some sense.
restoreIndicates restoration of material to an earlier state by cancellation of an editorial or authorial marking or instruction.
sicContains apparently incorrect or inaccurate material.
suppliedContains material supplied by the transcriber or editor for any reason.
unclearContains material that cannot be transcribed with certainty because it is illegible or inaudible in the source.
Neume repertoire component declarations.
syllableNeume notation can be thought of as "neumed text". Therefore, the syllable element provides high-level organization in this repertoire.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
chordA simultaneous sounding of two or more notes in the same layer *with the same duration*.
noteA single pitched event.
May Contain
dir(directive) – An instruction expressed as a combination of text and symbols — such as segno and coda symbols, fermatas over a bar line, etc., typically above, below, or between staves, but not on the staff — that is not encoded elsewhere in more specific elements, like tempo or dynam.
dynam(dynamic) – Indication of the volume of a note, phrase, or section of music.
spaceA placeholder used to fill an incomplete measure, layer, etc. most often so that the combined duration of the events equals the number of beats in the measure.
tempoText and symbols descriptive of tempo, mood, or style, e.g., "allarg.", "a tempo", "cantabile", "Moderato", "♩=60", "Moderato ♩ =60").
voltaSung text for a specific iteration of a repeated section of music.
(MEI.critapp) Groups elements that contain a critical apparatus entry.
app(apparatus) – Contains one or more alternative encodings.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that function like line beginnings.
lb(line beginning) – An empty formatting element that forces text to begin on a new line.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that contain a lyric syllable.
syl(syllable) – Individual lyric syllable.
Critical apparatus component declarations.
app(apparatus) – Contains one or more alternative encodings.
Lyrics component declarations.
voltaSung text for a specific iteration of a repeated section of music.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
dir(directive) – An instruction expressed as a combination of text and symbols — such as segno and coda symbols, fermatas over a bar line, etc., typically above, below, or between staves, but not on the staff — that is not encoded elsewhere in more specific elements, like tempo or dynam.
dynam(dynamic) – Indication of the volume of a note, phrase, or section of music.
lb(line beginning) – An empty formatting element that forces text to begin on a new line.
spaceA placeholder used to fill an incomplete measure, layer, etc. most often so that the combined duration of the events equals the number of beats in the measure.
syl(syllable) – Individual lyric syllable.
tempoText and symbols descriptive of tempo, mood, or style, e.g., "allarg.", "a tempo", "cantabile", "Moderato", "♩=60", "Moderato ♩ =60").
Remarks

The lb element is allowed here in order to facilitate karaoke applications. The func attribute on lb may be used to distinguish true line endings from those of line groups for these applications.

Declaration
<elementSpec ident="refrain" module="MEI.lyrics">
<desc>Recurring lyrics, especially at the end of each verse or stanza of a poem or song lyrics; a chorus.</desc>
<classes>
<memberOf key="att.common"/>
<memberOf key="att.facsimile"/>
<memberOf key="att.lang"/>
<memberOf key="att.refrain.log"/>
<memberOf key="att.refrain.vis"/>
<memberOf key="att.refrain.ges"/>
<memberOf key="att.refrain.anl"/>
<memberOf key="model.verseLike"/>
</classes>
<content>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:choice>
<rng:ref name="dir" />
<rng:ref name="dynam" />
<rng:ref name="tempo" />
<rng:ref name="space" />
</rng:choice>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:oneOrMore>
<rng:choice>
<rng:ref name="volta" />
<rng:ref name="model.sylLike" />
<rng:ref name="model.appLike" />
</rng:choice>
</rng:oneOrMore>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:ref name="model.lbLike" />
</rng:zeroOrMore>
</content>
<remarks>
<p part="N">The
<gi scheme="MEI">lb</gi>
element is allowed here in order to facilitate karaoke applications. The
<att scheme="TEI">func</att>
attribute on
<gi scheme="MEI">lb</gi>
may be used to distinguish true line endings from those of line groups for these applications.</p>
</remarks>
</elementSpec>