I got a hippopotamus for Christmas
Seemed like a hippopotamus was cool
I heard the song, I’ll tell ya boy oh boy
I woke up to a hippo and a note that said “Enjoy!”

I got a hippopotamus for Christmas
Did not think Santa’d possibly come through!
I thought it’d be cute, but just let me tell you
That this two ton behemoth
Is too big for any room!

I do not know how that Santa does it
I was not prepared!
Oh its smell and massive size
Eating everything in sight
So now my fridge and cabinets are all bare

I got a hippopotamus for Christmas
This hippo is a huge nuisance, who knew?
No litter box, just one tiny bucket
I have’ta clean hippo’s nasty messes
That hippopotamus is messy, too!

Thought food and bathing would be the worst, but then
Hippo kicked me out and now is sleeping on my bed

I’ll take him to the zoo, ‘cause he just smashed my dryer
I tried to get him in my truck, he flattened all the tires!

I just do not know what I was thinking
He can not live here
He’s a Christmas Day surprise
I see sadness in his eyes
I think this hippo missed his friends out there

I got a hippopotamus for Christmas
But this ol’ hippopotamus wants to
See crocodiles and rhinos, so then I just
Hopped right upon hippo and yelled “MUSH!”
And rode hippo all the way to the zoo!