On these occasions it is traditional for the fans to remain seated, singing along with the verse, then stand for the chorus and chant—giving literal meaning to the phrase "rise and shout."
The song was composed by Clyde D. Sandgren, a 1932 BYU graduate.
He died in 1989 and left ownership of the song to his son, Clyde D. Sandgren, Jr. (Dee).
The song was dedicated by its composer especially "To all BYU students who so valiantly served their country in World War II.
The lyrics, as sung at BYU events, were altered from the original version sometime in the 1990s due to pressure from women's groups on BYU campus.