He could sing bass, it is true, but he loved best to sing tenor, and in that part his voice was wonderfully sweet.
As his speech at once indicated, he was an ignorant man.

He had never had musical instruction; he spoke of soprano as "tribble," of alto as "counter," and of baritone as "bear-tone"-- a mispronunciation that had given him his nickname.
But he could sing! Melody was born in him, so to speak, full-fledged, ready to sing.

Musical training would have done him no good, and it might have done him harm.

He could not have sung a false note if he had tried; discord really pained him.
"Wal, we may's well begin," he said when he had thoroughly warmed his hands.

"What ye got for singin' books here?
Dulcimers, or Harps of Judah?
All with Harps raise yer right hands.So.Now all with Dulcimers, left hands.So.Harps have it.