Miriam Hyde: Drought-Stricken Grasses

Composer: Miriam Hyde

Cultural advice

The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that ANU Library collections may include images, names, voices, and other representations of deceased persons.

Material in the collection may contain terms, language or views that reflect the period in which the item was created and may be considered inappropriate today.

Miriam Hyde: Drought-Stricken Grasses

Date

1964

Authors

Composer: Miriam Hyde

Publisher

Canberra School of Music, Australian National University

Abstract

Drought-stricken Grasses conjures up an Australian ambience. It was prompted by a picture of Ayers Rock, with a foreground of parched grasses. Personified, they wait, watching deceptive grey clouds gathering, recalling the blessing of some previous sprinkle, and always longing for another revivifying shower, which eventually comes with exultation and sparkle. Little runnels trickle along the red earth and disappear. The grasses are resigned again to their arid environment.