The song "Benedict Rides" by Merl Saunders, Jerry Garcia, Tom Fogerty, John Kahn, and Bill Vitt tells the story of a person named Benedict who is depicted as a bit of a contradiction. In the first verse, it is mentioned that Benedict congratulates himself for being a reliable and dependable person that others can rely on. However, the lyrics suggest that Benedict's trustworthiness only lasts until a trusting soul comes along, at which point Benedict's true nature is revealed once again. The next verse describes Benedict as someone who deludes himself into thinking he is an original "flower child" or someone who embraces peace and love. However, greed and temptation find their way into Benedict's life, reminding listeners that he is not as pure-hearted as he may seem. The following lines describe Benedict's tendency to lose himself in various pursuits, whether it's through the study of Zen or participating in demonstrations for peace. However, these endeavors are quickly discarded or appear contradictory when Benedict joins the ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps), which is associated with military training. The repeated phrase "Benedict rides again" suggests that this cycle of Benedict portraying himself in one way and then revealing his true colors keeps repeating itself. Overall, the song portrays Benedict as a complex and somewhat hypocritical figure, who may project an image of reliability, peace, and activism but ultimately fails to live up to those ideals.
