I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll
No donkey tinker toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Clause will mind do you
He won't have to use
A dirty chimney fleu
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 a 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 swing it

Mom says a 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 a 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