I'm another one who has made my own inferences, so that I don't like the song. I know it's not what the song says but I keep feeling it's talking about an abusive-when-drunk guy. And I know it doesn't say 'harm' but that's how it feeds into my brain, i.e. :

'His head was so loaded it nearly exploded
The poor girl would shake with alarm
(But) he'd ne'er harm the girl with the strawberry curls
And the band, etc.'

and yes, I agree; I'm putting my own spin on it.