Trio was notable for being a quartet piece with only three active players – John Wetton on bass guitar, David Cross on viola and Robert Fripp on "flute" Mellotron. Bill Bruford spent the entire piece with his drumsticks crossed over his chest, waiting for the right moment to join in but eventually realized that the improvised piece was progressing better without him. His decision not to add any percussion was seen by the rest of the band as a crucial choice, and he received co-writing credit for the piece.
Trio was later included on the 1975 compilation album A Young Person's Guide to King Crimson, the performance credits of which cite Bruford's contribution to the piece as having been admirable restraint.
There's a look on your face I would like to knock out
See the sin in your grin and the shape of your mouth
All I want is to see you in terrible pain
Though we won't ever meet I remember your name
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so **** you anyway
You a scum, you a scum and I hope that you know
That the cracks in your smile are beginnin' to show
Now the world needs to see that it's time you should go
There's no light in your eyes and your brain is too slow
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I can think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so **** you anyway
Bet you sleep like a child with your thumb in your mouth
I could creep up beside put a gun in your mouth
Makes me sick when I hear all the shit that you say
So much crap comin' out it must take you all day
There's a space kept in hell with your name on the seat
With a spike in the chair just to make it complete
When you look at yourself do you see what I see?
If you do why the **** are you lookin' at me?
Why the **** are you lookin' at me, me?
Why the **** are you lookin' at me?
Why the ****, why the **** are you lookin' at me?
Why the ****, why the **** are you lookin' at me?
There's a time for us all and I think yours has been
Can you please hurry up 'cause I find you obscene?
We can't wait for the day that you're never around
When that face isn't here and you rot underground
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I can think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so **** you anyway
So **** you anyway
So **** you anyway
So **** you anyway
So **** you anyway...