I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do
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
I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs
I got the Angel Imp Potion today, and a friend recently got the Golden Giftbox

Oh what 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