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Written and set to music by Jon Rox in 1953, "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" was sung by Gayla Peevey, who was only 10 years old. The song shot to the top of the billboard when 300,000 records were sold by mid-December of the same year. Upon hearing the song, the local promoter presented her with a hippopotamus on Christmas. Matilda the Hippo was donated to the Oklahoma City Zoo, and lived for 50 years. She died on her trip to Disney, where she was going to retire with her mate, Norman.

I look forward to hearing this song every Christmas. After all, what child wouldn't like a hippopotamus for Christmas? Wouldn't you?




Words and Music by John Rox
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
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

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian.
(Short Music Interlude)
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 massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
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 or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too!