Publishing a web site: from a directory tree to server

Does anyone know of a script to publish a web site directory hierarchy to a web server from a local git repo? I'm trying to avoid re-inventing the wheel.

I was thinking the solution could either be scripted visiting file by file or a directory tree using rsync. If scripted file by file, a configuration file would contain tuples; each file to be published and its permissions. This configuration file may also contain path names for folders to be created as well.

Appreciate your guidance.