In an unexpected move, Billy Joel has released his first original rock song since 1993. The Piano Man's new holiday anthem, 'Christmas In Fallujah,' was recorded at his final Australian show in Sydney on Dec. 11 and was quickly made available for download the following day.

'We wanted to do something to commemorate our tour," Joel said in a statement. "There are no other recordings of this song with me singing available. We thought it would be a nice way to say thank you on our last night in Oz, Merry Christmas."

'Christmas In Fallujah' is a response to letters the New York native has received from soldiers in Iraq. It echoes the insanity of the war and the human effect of the conflict on the military and citizens alike. He says he wants people to hear it and think of the soldiers -- whom he describes as "those poor bastards" -- stuck in the battlefield at Christmas time.

Joel wrote 'Christmas In Fallujah' last year and originally had it recorded by Cass Dillon because, at 22, the young singer is closer to the age of the soldiers who inspired it.

'Christmas In Fallujah' will be available as a CD single beginning today. Joel is donating all his proceeds from the sale of the single to the Homes for Our Troops organization, which provides specially adapted homes for severely injured soldiers.