[Verse 1] I want a hippopotamus for Christmas Only a hippopotamus will do I 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 our dirty chimney flue Just bring him through the front door That's the easy thing to do [Chorus] I can see me now on Christmas morning Creeping down the stairs Oh, what a joy and what surprise When I open up my eyes To see my hippo hero standing there [Verse 2] I want a hippopotamus for Christmas Only a hippopotamus will do No crocodiles or rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses And hippopotamuses like me, too [Verse 3] Mom says the hippo would eat me up But then, my 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 ma**age [Chorus] I can see me now on Christmas morning Creeping down the stairs Oh, what a joy and what surprise When I open up my eyes To see my hippo hero standing there [Verse 2] I want a hippopotamus for Christmas Only a hippopotamus will do No crocodiles or rhinoceroses-es I only like hippopotamuses-es And hippopotamuses like me, too