Pre-Tolkein and modern fantasy taxonomy goblin was just another synonym for fairy (sort of, it's complicated of course), which is the viewpoint I'd typically read that poem from
My preference is not to make goblins the human military it is just to kill at any time, yes.
I also like goblins that tie girl’s hair to their bed posts and steal horses but put them back before dawn so they’re tired. I like knockers in the mine that talk through the stone. I like hobs and tomti that care for your house until you forget to feed them. I like hiisi that take the shape if standing stones but shift about when you’re not looking. I like goblins to be magical and mischievous and lethal when you wrong them, but it is ultimately your fault.