[Verse 1]
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

[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

[Bridge]
I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh, what joy and what delight
When I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there

[Verse 3]
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too
[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 4]
Mum says a hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says the hippo is a vegetarian

[Verse 5]
There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I'd feed him there and wash him therе and give him a massage

[Verse 1]
Oh, 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 еnjoy

[Bridge]
I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh, what joy and what delight
When I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there

[Verse 3]
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too
[Outro]
And hippopotamuses like me too
Hippopotamuses like me too
Hippopotamuses not rhinoceroses
Hippopotamuses like me too