Typically...
When you look at a ceiling rose you often see two black wires joined together in a terminal block - another terminal block strip with three red wires - and a third terminal strip with just one black wire - and this single black wire often has a little red sleeve on it - or rather it should have a red sleeve on it.
The Lamp connects on one side to the single black wire and on the other side to the two black wires.
Your description appears to be a couple of wires short from what one usually finds - perhaps an electrician should be called.
Here's a diagram picture...
http://www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/lighting_ceiling_rose_other_colours.cs4
Take care...
Peccavi
July 2010