The Kingston Trio frequently took songs like "Rider" and translated them into up-tempo pieces with a driving rhythm and used them as "show stoppers." My own group used this same song in around 1963-1964 in northern California with the same approach. It was very effective for us, especially after a group of two or three ballads.
I have occasionally bumped into original Trio member Nick Reynolds, who still lives in this area. If the occasion arises, I will ask him if he recalls where they found the song.