Wiring lights with unlabeled wires, please help

[Lucien Nunes]

you should use a junction box with four connectors if it's "loop-in" wiring...

You're not wrong, but I can tell from the way you phrased that, you hadn't spotted the OP is in the USA, where the conventions and regulations are somewhat different; it can get confusing if the instructions are highly specific to the wrong country.

I agree that if it uses 2-pin lampholders the polarity is unimportant, but if they are E27, there is a shock risk if the lamp cap is connected to the hot. We don't know yet what kind of lamp sockets are fitted. OP, please can you confirm what lamps it takes or post a pic of the lamp sockets.

 

[hba]

You're right, I'd assumed they were in the UK. Let's see what type the OP's sockets are.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Notwithstanding the cable and if its two core you should not have tried to balance the light on top of your Parrot.