What might be the significance of caedmon being a simple cowheard?

Caedmon was a simple cowherd of British origin. While sleeping, he began to sing the praise of God the Creator, verses which he had never heard before, and after awaking from his sleep, he remembered all that he had sung in his dream. This was considered a gift. It is not know how long Caedmon lived after he had received his gift, but its assumed it was not long as he was already advanced in years.