[Verse 1]
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
I don't want a dog, or tinky Tinker-toys
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

[Verse 2]
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, what a surprise, when I open up my eyes
And see a hippo hero standing there

[Verse 3]
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodile or rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too, yeah

[Bridge]
Mom says the hippo
Would eat me up but then
Teacher says the hippo
Is a vegetarian
There's lots of room for him
In our two-car garage
I'll feed him therе and wash him there
And give him his massagе
[Chorus]
I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh, what a joy, what a surprise, when I open up my eyes
And see a hippo hero standing there

[Verse 4]
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocoduzzles or rhin-na-na-ceruzzlses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses (Hippopotamuses)
Hippopotamuses like me too, they do