During the North African campaign, a bunch of soldier boys had been

on a long hike and they arrived in a little town called Casino.

The next morning being Sunday, several of the boys went to Church.

A sergeant commanded the boys in Church and after the Chaplain

had read the prayer, the text was taken up next.

Those of the boys who  had a prayer book took them out,

but this one boy had only a deck of cards, and so he spread them out.

The Sergeant saw the cards and said, "Soldier, put away those cards."

After the services were over, the soldier was taken prisoner

and brought before the Provost Marshall.

The Marshall said, "Sergeant, why have you brought this man here?"

"For playing cards in church, Sir." "And what have you to say for yourself, son?"

"Much, Sir," replied the soldier. The Marshall said,

"I hope so, for if not I shall punish you more than any man was

ever punished." The soldier said, "Sir, I have been on the march for about six days.

I have neither a Bible nor a prayer book, but I hope to satisfy you,

 Sir, with the purity of my intentions."

And with that, the boy started his story:

When I count the number of spots on a deck of cards,

I find 365, the number of days in a year.

There are 52 cards, the number of weeks in a year.

There are 4 suits, the number of weeks in a month.

There are 12 picture cards, the number of months in a year.

There are 13 tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter.

So you see, Sir, my pack of cards serves me as a Bible,

an Almanac and a Prayer Book."

"And friends, the story is true. I know, I was that soldier."

Performed by Wink Martindale

1959 was a watershed year for Martindale, as he made the dramatic leap from

Memphis to Los Angeles, hosting shows on both radio and television for independently

owned KHJ. At the same time, his career took an unexpected turn when he was tapped

by Dot Records president Randy Wood to record a pop version of a previous hit country

narrative titled "Deck of Cards." To his surprise, the recording shot to the top of the charts

by September, earning Gold Record status and Martindale an appearance on the

"Ed Sullivan Show" in New York.