Lyric discussion by cheerupemokid 

Cover art for Quito lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

"Slipped the surly bonds" is from a poem called "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. - it's a reference to death.

"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;"

President Reagan later used the line in his speech following the Challenger disaster.