I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy

I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy



I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?

He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue

Just bring him through the front door,

that's the easy thing to do



I can see me now on Christmas morning,

creeping down the stairs

Oh what joy and what surprise

when I open up my eyes

to see a hippo hero standing there



I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses

I only like hippopotamuses

And hippopotamuses like me too



Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then

Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian



There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage

I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage



I can see me now on Christmas morning,

creeping down the stairs

Oh what joy and what surprise 

when I open up my eyes

to see a hippo hero standing there



I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses

I only like hippopotamuseses

And hippopotamuses like me too!