I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

Don't want a doll no dinky tinkertoy

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 vegetarian

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 rhinoceroses

I only like hippopotamuses

And hippopotamuses like me too