Beginning in 2002, she released two EPs prior to her full-length debut, If You Were for Me, in 2006. The album garnered her a nomination for best solo artist at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. She was also a winner in the 2007 Mountain Stage Newsong Contest, as well as winning best folk recording from both the Nova Scotia Music Awards and the PEI Music Awards, and Female Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards in 2008.
She followed up with The Send Off in 2009. The Send Off was produced by Luke Doucet, and features guest musicians including Kathleen Edwards, Melissa McClelland, David Myles, Jenn Grant and Tom Wilson.
In 2012, Rose released We Have Made a Spark. The album has 9 tracks, including 2 bonus tracks. It was produced by Zachariah Hickman and engineered by Matt Malikowski, Sean Cahalin and Roni Pillischer. The album was released on her own label, Old Farm Pony Records, the same label that houses her last two albums The Send Off and Miles to go.
Cousins has also appeared as a guest musician on albums by Grant, Joel Plaskett, In-Flight Safety, Two Hours Traffic, Matt Mays, Catherine MacLellan, Jill Barber, Matt Epp, Old Man Luedecke, Ruth Minnikin, The Olympic Symphonium and Craig Cardiff, and has performed live with Royal Wood, Daniel Ledwell, Rose Polenzani, Anne Heaton and Laura Cortese.
Official website: www.rosecousins.com
Doggone Lonely
Rose Cousins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always between me and the stranger
And when we were away, she could be the lone ranger
Then through the Lyndon trees she'd come to me
She'd beaten all her friends
And spent no time resting
With more room to move, less things to prove
My forever friend
Always around the bend
What made it hard is that I was so far away
Even though I knew you'd have to go someday
But I gave you love and I'm thankful
For the time, we didn't waste it
But now I'm twice as lonely for home
You've made me doggone lonely
For home
If you were to learn how to stay out of a farm's harm's way
Ten years would get it right
And I wonder what the thunder said to you that night
Was it the storm? was the lightening too bright?
And I pray only that she'll never be lonely
Between the trees at the edge of the field
Where she lies waiting
That part's the same
But I don't need to call her name
What makes it hard is that my heart longs to see you in the morning
And it longs for the same at the end of the day
But I gave you love and I'm thankful for your sleeping days
But now I'm twice as lonely for home
You've made me doggone lonely
For home
I'm so doggone lonely
For home
The lyrics of "Doggone Lonely" by Rose Cousins speak of a deep longing and loneliness for home and a special companion who has gone away. The first verse introduces the idea of a key being kept inside the door, symbolizing a sense of security and protection against strangers. The singer describes how this companion would often come to them through the trees, suggesting a strong bond and connection.
The second verse expresses the bittersweet feeling of knowing that their beloved companion had to leave someday. Despite this understanding, they reflect on the love shared and appreciate the time they spent together. However, now the absence of their companion has intensified their loneliness, making them yearn for home even more.
In the third verse, the lyrics take on a metaphorical tone. The phrase "learning to stay out of a farm's harm's way" suggests that the singer needed time to figure out how to protect themselves from life's challenges. They wonder what was going through their companion's mind during a thunderstorm, contemplating the impact of the storm's elements on them.
The chorus repeats the theme of loneliness, with the singer expressing their longing for their companion and the comfort of home. The final line emphasizes their intense feelings of being doggone lonely, emphasizing their deep sadness and yearning.
Overall, "Doggone Lonely" explores themes of love, longing, and the profound impact that a special relationship can have on one's sense of home and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
She kept the key inside her door
She always had control and kept her heart locked away
Always between me and the stranger
She always had a barrier between me and anyone unfamiliar
And when we were away, she could be the lone ranger
When we were apart, she could be independent and self-reliant
Then through the Lyndon trees she'd come to me
She would make her way through obstacles to be by my side
She'd beaten all her friends
She had surpassed and outshined all her companions
And spent no time resting
She was always active and never wasted her time
With more room to move, less things to prove
Having more freedom and fewer expectations to fulfill
A dog's life must be the best thing
Living a carefree and simple life is ideal
My forever friend
A friend that will always be there for me
Always around the bend
Always nearby, just around the corner
What made it hard is that I was so far away
Being physically distant made it difficult
Even though I knew you'd have to go someday
Despite being aware of the eventual separation
But I gave you love and I'm thankful
I provided love and I am grateful for the time we had
For the time, we didn't waste it
We made the most of the time we had together
But now I'm twice as lonely for home
I feel even more lonely for my home
You've made me doggone lonely
You have made me incredibly lonely
For home
Longing for the comfort and familiarity of home
If you were to learn how to stay out of a farm's harm's way
If you were to learn how to avoid the dangers of a farm
Ten years would get it right
It would take ten years to truly figure it out
And I wonder what the thunder said to you that night
I ponder what message the thunder conveyed to you during that night
Was it the storm? was the lightening too bright?
Was it the storm or the brightness of the lightning that affected you?
And I pray only that she'll never be lonely
I only wish for her to never feel lonely
Between the trees at the edge of the field
In the peaceful surroundings of nature
Where she lies waiting
Where she patiently awaits my return
That part's the same
That aspect remains unchanged
But I don't need to call her name
I don't need to remind her of who I am
What makes it hard is that my heart longs to see you in the morning
The difficulty lies in my heart yearning to see you each morning
And it longs for the same at the end of the day
Similarly, it desires the same connection at day's end
But I gave you love and I'm thankful for your sleeping days
I shared love with you and I appreciate the moments of rest
But now I'm twice as lonely for home
I feel even more intensely lonely for home
You've made me doggone lonely
You have made me extremely and completely lonely
For home
Craving the sense of belonging and familiarity of home
I'm so doggone lonely
I am overwhelmingly and deeply lonely
For home
Yearning for the place of comfort and belonging
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Craig Cardiff, Rose Cousins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen a
This song should become a timeless classic; it has a catchy, hummable and memorable melody and comfortable tempo. The arrangement is terrific and subject matter most can relate to. As a musician it was also a joy to hear real 'horns' !
Since I heard it on CBC it's been in my mind's ear so much that I had to look it up on YouTube.
Thanks for restoring some faith in modern song writing and performance.
Jonathan de Ruiter
This is a masterclass in songwriting. I heard this on the radio and couldn't believe that such [seemingly] "normal, everyday language" had such beautiful flow with the melody, and so interesting and captivating. I'm blown away.
Arthur Dent
Thats true tho. It almost feels like a musical song with how smoothly it flows
Jonathan de Ruiter
@Rose Cousins No, thank you for such determination to put out such fantastic music even when the "industry" doesn't seem to want to reward you as handsomely as you deserve -- yet ;-)
... The thing that blows me away about this song is that it feels like something any one of us could have written in our journal, or the words that an amatuer songwriter would write that would sound terribly cheesy when actually put to music -- but somehow you make it work brilliantly.
P.S. I get a 'Beatles' vibe. I'd love to hear a Sgt. Peppers version of this if you find a way ;-)
Rose Cousins
thank you so much!
Rob
A ballad both positive and sad for all of us who have never found someone to share the journey with. Thanks for making this song.
M00
Heard this on CBC today! Instantly captivated!
Also particularly relevant at this time! Hope you're listening to the benefits of being alone! And stay safe!
Archivo
I can’t get over this song. It has struck a chord.
S.F. de Jong
"Could be six days to find my body gone" 😂. Love this song! Great vid!
Melody Stang Music
All of these examples of solo life are extremely relatable! A clever satire on a musicians self-induced isolation, with a positive spin. So catchy! Love you and your songwriting Rose, thanks for doing what you do. #melodystangmusic