The Sprig of Thyme offers a selection of traditional songs of the British Isles, drawing together long-standing favourites as Willow Song and The Miller of Dee with lesser known gems as O Can Ye Sew Cushions and The Sprig of Thyme. Many new settings for choir and small instrumental group have been created by John Rutter especially for this album. Rutter's suite of eleven traditional songs, The Sprig of Thyme (all of which can be heard on this album) is published by Oxford University Press.

"Those of us who grew up in an era when classroom singing was de rigueur can only despair for the children today who may never experience the delights of singing nursery rhymes, folk-songs and hymn tunes. Remember Dashing away with the smoothing iron, The British Grenadiers, The keel row, The miller of Dee and many more? John Rutter not only provides those of us over 30 with a healthy dollop of nostalgia, but gives these songs a whole new lease of life in some characteristically scrumptuous arrangements. He is supported beyond all dreams by this outstanding group of singers. This is a lovely disc; one to head my list of Christmas presents for musical friends." - Gramophone

"This superb collection of traditional English songs, arranged by R. Vaughan Williams and John Rutter, is drawn from nursery rhymes, scout camps, and hymns from High Church assemblies. Sung in the peerless tones of The Cambridge Singers, these humble songs echo the gentility and cultural nationalism of postwar England. Included are bold drinking songs, tender lullabies, and love songs of fragile beauty. They bring delight and pleasure from a vanished age." - AllMusic