Light fixture

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How where the wires connected on the old light.

Sounds like you have switch leg wiring.

http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switch-outlet/basic-light-switch/single-switch-power-source-at-fixture.php

You need to identify which pair of wires is the incoming power and which goes to the switch.

"This white wire is NOT a neutral but a white being re-designated to carry a hot (live) power feed to the switch and therefore should have a piece of black electrical tape wrapped around the white wire at both the light and switch end of the wire to signify that it is a hot wire. Note however in some existing situations , there may be a white wire being used to carry a hot feed to the switch that has not be wrapped in black electrical tape."

All of the black wires on the fixture are connected together along with the black from the switch. And all of the whites from the fixture are connected together with white from the power source.

For about $15-25 you can get a book from a home improvement store or books store on back wiring. Or stop by the library.

Also check the tabs at the top under How to and Video and see if you can find some pictures showing some wiring.