who originally sang i want a hippopotamus for christmas

The song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" was originally recorded by Gayla Peevey in 1953. The song was originally called "A Hippopotamus Song" and was not intended to be a Christmas song, but it quickly became popular during the holiday season. The song was later covered by various artists, including the Osmonds and Garth Brooks. The lyrics of the song describe a young girl who is asking for a hippopotamus for Christmas, even though her parents tell her that a hippo would not be a practical gift. The song has become a holiday classic and is still popular today.