I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
I don't want a doll, or any Tinker-toys
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, 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 rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too, yeah
Mom says the hippo
Would eat me up but then
Teacher says the hippo
Is a vegetarian
There's lots of room for him
In our two-car garage
I'll 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, what surprise, when I open up my eyes
And see a hippo hero standing there
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas (want a hippopotamus for Christmas)
Only a hippopotamus will do (only a hippopotamus will do)
No crocoduzzles or rhin-na-na-ceruzzlses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses (and hippopotamuses)
Hippopotamuses like me too, they do