Romanticism: What is it? "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."

1) "The Legend of Sleepy Hallow," by Washington Irving, catches the imagination of readers today. When the story comes to an end, the reader can conclude two different stories. One being that Ichabod Crane was in fact caught by the headless horseman, or that Brom Bones pulled a great prank and he resides elsewhere. This story is does not have an exact ending, but an indirect statement on what really happened to him, and the reader has to imagine. It makes the reader question the ability of supernatural forces, and if they are indeed fact or fiction.
2) "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," by Wallis Willis, captures conditions of slavery, but it also relates to today's society. This song expresses the need to escape the physical conditions of slavery. Yet it does not describe any pain, it relates to knowing that the soul is heavenly bound. Willis shows religious hope and faith. Even in the worst of conditions, the knowledge knowing there is a better place, a refuge, does not cause the slave to break down. It keeps them going. As seen in a religious sense, home can be where your family waits, or where your heavenly family waits. This song relates to modern day America, because it's common to be in a situation of worry and doubt. That constant knowledge needs to be going through the mind that things will get better, even in the worst conditions.