The Spring Symphony is a choral symphony, written for soprano, alto and tenor soloists, mixed chorus, boys' choir (often performed by a children's choir instead) and orchestra. Britten sets several poets' words, chiefly from the 16th and 17th century such as Edmund Spenser, John Clare and George Peele. A notable exception is 'Out on the lawn I lie in bed' by his friend W. H. Auden. In the composer's own words, the work represents 'the progress of Winter to Spring and the reawakening of the earth and life which that means'.

The songs (and authors) in the Spring Symphony are as follows: Part 1: Introduction: Shine Out (Anonymous) (mixed chorus) -- The Merry Cuckoo (Edmund Spenser) (tenor solo) -- Spring, the Sweet Spring (Thomas Nashe) (soprano, alto and tenor soli, mixed chorus) -- The Driving Boy (George Peele, John Clare) (soprano solo and boys' choir) -- The Morning Star (John Milton) (mixed chorus) -- Part 2: Welcome, Maids of Honour (Robert Herrick) (alto solo) -- Waters Above! (Henry Vaughan) (tenor solo) -- Out on the lawn I Lie in bed (W. H. Auden) (alto solo and mixed chorus) -- Part 3: When will my May Come? (Richard Barnfield) (tenor solo) -- Fair and Fair (George Peele) (soprano and tenor soli) -- Sound the Flute! (William Blake) (male chorus, female chorus and boys' choir) -- Part 4: Finale: London, to Thee I do Present (Anon, closing words from The Knight of the Burning Pestle by Francis Beaumont) (soprano, alto and tenor soli, mixed chorus and boys' choir).