Anthropophagous Hippopotamus

[Intro] [Verse 1] (Mellow croon, slow swing b**t starts) Moonlight drips on the stagnant Nile A shadow stirs with a hungry smile Something rises with the river like a flood Reeds part slow, soon soaked in b***d [Chorus] (Lead vocal intensifies slightly, backing vocals enter with tight harmonies and punchy brass stabs) Oh, the Anthropophagous Hippopotamus! He ain't grazin' on no lotus! Got a taste for somethin' best forgotten! Leaves nothin' left... but bones rotting! (Backing Vocals: Bones rotting! Oh yeah!) [Verse 2] (Croon returns, steady swing b**t) Saw old Jenkins last night by the muddy shore Went for a dip, ain't seen him no more Just a boot, a hat, and a dreadful red stain Spreading out in the murky domain (Backing Vocals: Ooooh, dreadful red stain...) [Chorus] (Full force, lead belts, backing vocals strong and rhythmic) Oh, the Anthropophagous Hippopotamus! He ain't grazin' on no lotus! Got a taste for somethin' best forgotten! Leaves nothin' left... but bones rotting! (Backing Vocals: Bones rotting! Uh-huh!) [Bridge] (Tempo shifts slightly, more dramatic, lead more urgent, backing vocals create tension) He surfaces slow, eyes like coal so black A boatload of people his favourite snack! That wide, wide mouth, waiting for you Hungry hippo wants you to chew (Backing Vocals: To Chew, To Chew, Boohoo) [Guitar Solo] (Fast, distorted punk riffing over the persistent swing rhythm section) [Verse 3] (Croon returns, darker, more menacing) So stay clear of the water when the dark is deep Where the lily pads float and no smart fish sleep Hear that low rumble? That ain't no frog's croak It's the Hippo's flatulence - on a bum note (Backing Vocals: What a sour note.. heh heh...) [Chorus] (Frenzied energy, lead shouting, backing vocals powerful and driving) Oh, the Anthropophagous Hippopotamus! He ain't grazin' on no lotus! Got a taste for somethin' best forgotten! Leaves nothin' left... but bones rotting! (Backing Vocals: Bones rotting! ) OH! THE ANTHROPOPHAGOUS HIPPOPOTAMUS! (Backing Vocals: Man- Eating HIPPOPOTAMUS!) [Outro] (Slow fade on a final, dissonant brass chord and a last low growl from the lead)