I want a hippopotamus for Christmas 
Only a hippopotamus will do 
I 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 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 I 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 
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 my hippo hero standing there 
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas 
Only a hippopotamus will do 
No crocodiles no rhinoceroseses 
I only like hippopotamuses 
And hippopotamuses like me too