In Gainesville, Florida, the song has been attributed to Robert Swanson and John Icenhour, two University of Florida students who supposedly debuted the tune in 1919 with their barbershop quartet and dance band. A collection of University of Florida pep songs from 1941, on the other hand, attributes "We Are the Boys" to Thorton W. Allen, a prolific composer and arranger of marching band music in the early 20th century.
In Gainesville, Florida, the song is said to have originated with Robert Swanson and John Icenhour, two University of Florida students who allegedly introduced it in 1919 as part of their barbershop quartet and dance band. In contrast, a 1941 collection credits "We Are the Boys" to Thorton W. Allen, a renowned composer and arranger of marching band music during the early 20th century.