Being at the end of a rope is likened to being at the end of one's tether - you just can't take anymore - he's at the end of her rope - how much more should he have to endure - he's already ten feet off the ground. He seems to be the one who's holding on. The way apologise is repeated seems to suggest his/her partner has done this (hurt him) before, and that this is not the first time they are apologizing. And just as soon as the partner says I need you, they undermine their statement by 'tearing him down' (obviously verbally). He's realised they are not what they seem to be, and that their apologies are wearing thin - repeated to many times to be sincere - and with contradictory statements to boot. I think he's tired of being hurt, and realises things won't change. The song is intense, it's never easy letting go - even if you know it's the right thing to do - he's still loves his partner. And their partner knows this, 'i'd take another chance, take a fall, take a shot for you And I need you like a heart needs a beat (But that's nothing new), and yet still manages to hurt him. When is enough. Sometimes it's just too late to apologize. Loves fire can only take so many buckets of hurt before it turns blue.