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 that 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 my 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 no rhinoceroseses 
I only like hippopotamuseses 
And hippopotamuses like me too