Lyric discussion by India8962 

Cover art for Jonathan Low lyrics by Vampire Weekend

Namaskar friends, I think the song is about a person who was friends with Jonathan Low. Jonathan got killed in a battle and the killer escaped with a lot of casualties on his side too.

"Blood of his men was gone beneath snow He picked up his knife and bow Killer of Jonathan Low"

Our hero seeks revenge for his late friend. He tells or asks for (not quite certain here) help from his kins. But, even when they know the killer and want to see justice delivered, fearing the enormous power of enemy, they refuse.

"Violence from without And Anger from within Crawling through the fields Informing next to kin They all turned their backs But they all knew his name And if he could return They'd probably do the same."

Eventually, with some help from friends (those who agreed to fight by his side), hero avenges his friend's death. But, revenge costs him some more friends!

"Blood of his friends was gone beneath snow For all that I know, he died Killer of Jonathan Low"